Antique Enameling Styles for Pretty Jewelry Boxes For Women

There are several kinds of jewelry boxes for women but the prettiest ones are made with enamel. You get enamel when powdered glass is fused into a substrate through a process of firing done at extremely high temperatures. This molten powder then flows in the form of a vitreous coating over metal objects making the surface smooth and pretty.

The word enamel has a few vague references in two languages. It is possible to have originated from the Old High German word ‘smelzan’ which meant to smelt. It is also quite possible that it came from the French word ‘esmail’.

The process of enameling we know today has been passed on from civilizations like the Egpytian, where cut, colored glass was used to decoratively fill in gold cells known as cloisonné. Perhaps from this point it was the Greeks or the Celts that took things a step forward and melted the glass.

A number of civilizations like the Chinese, Indian and the Roman utilized this art form. The artisans of Battersea and Straffordshire in England in the 18th century began to use enamel to create decorative boxes. They became quite popular among nobility who used them for a number of reasons.

Nobility and royalty often gifted enamel boxes among themselves. People made use of these boxes to hold make up and jewelry as well as snuff at times. In fact the royal class still prefer giving these boxes as gifts.

Russia’s famed Peter Carl Faberg can be credited with taking enamel to new creative heights with the creation of the famous Fabergé eggs. Enamel boxes can be complex to make depending on their design, but here is a basic idea on their creation.

Boxes generally start with a pure metal, with copper being oft-used and gold being the most expensive. They are formed into desired shapes. Enamel is sprayed on the box and this is then fired to get that smooth surface. Once this part is done, the surface becomes unbreakable and strong. Boxes like these can last for centuries.

The picture that has to be included will be drawn or photographed before it is converted to a template. This aids in the hand painting of the design onto the surface of the box. After this, the design is fired again to fuse it to the enameled surface of the box.

There are many techniques in enameling. All of them are different and every one of them has a unique style. Among the techniques are Cloisonné, Champlevé, Grisaille, Limoges enamel, specific to Limoges in France and Plique-à-jour besides others. Every one of these techniques is still referred to by its French name and is distinctive in their looks.

So don’t wait to go to a museum to look at some enamel work. Get a box for a loved one or for yourself.

This article was written by Ruth D’Souza Prabhu of MarqART Gift Shop. Our jewelry boxes feature evocative wood art designs, created from unique wood grain patterns and colors. A fine addition to your dressing table or as a gift. Please visit http://www.marqartgiftshop.com to browse & buy exotic jewelry boxes that will give you a lifetime of pleasure!