Cloisonné Enamel on Silver
Cloisonne enamel is a technique where metal wires are bent to form a design. Enamel is mixed with water and laid into each cell or “cloison”. This is one of the oldest forms of enamel and the earliest examples that we know were found in Cyprus and date from 13th century B.C.
We are working today on a domed piece of sterling silver that is 0.7mm thick. It has been depletion gilded for you and is ready for use. The wires are fine silver. They have been rolled in rolling mills from 0.3mm wire. We use the wire standing on the narrow edge and it is shaped with fingers and fine tweezers. The wires can be cut with a scalpel or sharp good quality nail scissors.
- Begin with the reverse. Apply a thin layer of cellulose gum with your finger. Wet lay a layer of enamel on the reverse (counter enamel). Tap the edges gently. Blot the edges carefully with tissue.
- Turn the piece over and support carefully in two wooden coffee stirrers on top of a clean piece of paper. Use a sieve to carefully and evenly sieve a layer of clear enamel (flux). Begin at the outside edge and work methodically around ensuring the enamel falls half on the paper and half onto the piece. Continue into the centre. Repeat again being very careful to keep it very even. When finished there should be a thin even layer of enamel but there shouldn’t be any glint from the silver underneath. Place carefully onto a stilt with a palette knife and place into kiln. Fire until the surface of the flux is shiny but still has a dimpled surface, (orange peel). Allow to cool.
- Repeat the layer of counter enamel. Turn over and use a thin layer of gum to hold the formed cloisonné wires in place. Fire until they are fused into the enamel surface. Use a clean palette knife to gently push them down all over then it is removed from the kiln. Allow to cool.
- Check the enamel piece carefully to ensure all the wires are fused and in the correct place. Any that are wrong can be tweaked or removed with fine tweezers and then re-fired. Also check the counter enamel to ensure it is covering the reverse evenly. Correct if necessary.
- Apply the prepared wet enamel in very thin layers in each of the cells. Tap the edges carefully to help the enamel settle. Blot carefully and allow to dry before firing until smooth. Allow to cool.
- Repeat 6 until the cells are filled to the top. Fire each thin layer. Each time check the colours and you can adjust by using different colours if any are too strong or dark. Keeping the layers thin and even will give the best transparency and ensure there aren’t any air bubbles that will spoil the final piece. I usually aim for 7-8 layers.
- Use a diagrit with water to gently grind the surface of the enamel. Begin with the outer edges and work towards the middle. Keep changing the direction that you use the diagrit. Blot with tissue regularly and check the surface. You are aiming to grind the surface until all the wires have had their top edge ground. As soon as one part is done, move on. It is very important not to go too thin!
- When this is done rinse with brush and water. Dry. Apply more enamel to the shiny parts. Fire until smooth. Allow to cool and check again.
- If the surface looks smooth and shiny all over without any lumps or depressions then congratulate yourself. If not repeat previous stage.
- If you want you can go over the whole piece with a 2000 diamond grit abrasive board with water. Rinse and repeat with 2500 and then 3000. You should then have a beautifully even piece of cloisonné enamel.
- It must be noted that very often everything doesn’t go absolutely perfectly. I find it is very important to know where to stop with trying to achieve perfection. A step too far can easily ruin a piece as I know to my cost. A good thing to remember is to work for a finish you can live with. It may not be perfect but there is always another time.