Enamelling

Enamelling may be described as the art coloring or ornamenting a metal surface by fusing various mineral substances over it. In metal decoration, metal enamelling is perhaps the most alluring and sophisticated. Earlier it was done only on gold, but now it is done on silver, copper and brass. Many more colors are attainable in gold and the lustre too is greater.

The metal part to be enamelled is engraved or blocked out and the enamel dust of the requisite color is poured into the grooves, then placed in a red hot furnace which melts and the colored liquid gets spread equally. It is then burnished with a wet stone resembling blue copper. In another method, wires are fastened by gum or welded to the surface. Yet another method is to paint the surface with silicated or fusible paint and give it a little heat to just melt the colors.

Enamelling is lavishly used in jewellery. Beads of many colors are made as ornaments. Delhi, Jaipur and Nathdwara in Rajasthan are main centres of enamelling. Enamelling on glass is done in Pratapgarh in Rajasthan.

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