This is a fascinating piece of true craftsmanship and art. All the brilliant colors, it’s amazing. I could look at it forever. The history of enameling is a long one.  It goes all the way back to Greece in the 16th – 11th century BC. The oldest enameled objects found are almost 3000 years old. Some were found among the ruins of Babylonia and Assyria, dated back to the 8th or 7th century BC. Can you imagine?

This beautiful piece is from 1975, signed by the Austrian artist Inge Naske. Its 15 tiles (20 x 13 cm)  of copper joined with metal clasps. The entire work measures 59 x 65 cm.

Enamel is a transparent glossy substance consisting of a type of glass (quarz sand, chalk, and other substances). Through metal oxides it’s possible to add color to the liquid substance. It then is applied to hard surfaces such as metal and melted at 800°C.

The artist can never be sure of the outcome of the colours as the enormous heat will define the finish. Enameled surfaces are glass-hard, scratch resistant and heat resistant, they endure temperatures of 400°C. The colors are also resistant to light.  Actually, whatever the age of an enameled object, the colors will always be the same.

Unfortunately, I couldn’t find anything about the artist. If you happen to know anything about her please let me know. I also own another enamel by the same artist I will show you soon.

If you’re interested to learn more about enamel click here, this seems to be a well researched article.