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Cloisonné is the technique of enamelling that most people are
familiar with, and that most enamellists practice., but I came
to it rather late myself - having been enamoured with
champlevé first.
Contrary to champlevé - where the metal is etched and the
enamel inlaid, in cloisonné the design is created with wire
and built up on the metal.
Because the metal wires that create the design are so thin
- the effect is not as bold as champlevé, but more subtle
effects can be created since there is more room for
layers.
The goal is to build up the enamel in discreet layers - so
that the light passing through the piece reveals its depth.
The wires are very slightly melted into a coat of clear
enamel (the piece is already enameled on the back)
Layers are built up slowly using a technique called 'wet
packing" which means that the enamel is moistened with
water and applied with a tiny spoon or a paintbrush.
It is dried thoroughly and then fired to just barely fusing
- called sugar firing, since the result looks like slightly
melted sugar - taking care not to over-fire which would cause the enamel to become
muddy.
The enamel is built up in several layers to the level of
the wires, and then stoned flat - to make an even surface.
A final careful firing brings out the lustre of all the
layers
Cloisonné is a more time consuming
technique than champlevé as it requires many more layers and
firings than champlevé.
Champlevé typically has 5 to 7 firings, and
cloisonné typically has 15 to 20.
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