Enamel is a vitrified coating of various colours used for decorative purposes and can be applied to metallic or porcelain surfaces.
In cloisonné the various selections of the design are separated by thin wires or strips.
In champlevé the enamel is poured into engraved cavities in the metal surface.
The art of enamelling is thought to be of Near Eastern origin. The Greeks, Romans and Egyptians enamelled their jewellery and Byzantium was famed for enamels from about the 9th to 11th centuries.
In the 13th and 14th century the craft was introduced to China
and Italy and during the 15th and 16th century France became the
main area based in the cities of Lorraine and Limoges Information
can be further gained from for example, CD-ROM Multimedia Encyclopedia.
