Savannah courier. (Savannah, Tenn.) 1885-1979, 1892-10-27
ADAPTED TO WoME,t.
The Art of Enameling Lends Itself Espe
cially to the Fair sen

The Art of Enamelinp Lends Itself Espe'
cially to the Fair sen
S, Barring Gould, In n recent article In
"The Queen" of London, says: ut is
matter of surprise to me that one of the
most resultful and charming arts of the
Middle Agcs-enamels-has not been
taken up and pursued by ladies'" Tine
entire art of enamel work was almost
extinct when in recent years IT was
again taken up In Limoges, Francei
and since that time some beautiful
work has been produced, though only d
few factories have been started Enama
cl, as every one knows, tx a composition
quite similar to fine glass, which is
rendered Opaque by the addition of tin
to the other ingredients Recently
some charming work of this kind has
been exhibited in onr country, notably
at Tiifany's, in what is known as trans
parent enamels. Bookmarks and many
small pieces are shown in this work.
Especially in the Russian department
are very beautiful effects given by the
introduction of transparent enamel in
pieces of pierced silver decorated in
colors with Opaque enamels. The en-
hibit in this department is in itself
study in brilliant work The art of
enamelng descended legitimately to
the Russians with the Greek church
and the glories Of the old Byzantine
work which is still used to embellish
the sacramental vessels and the orna-
ments of the Greek altar. The Turks
do something of this work, but it is
coarse and bizarre in comparison with
the works of the Russians.
The first use of enamels was to iwi-
tate precious stones, but the best work.
ers soon began to apply enamel in q
variety of designs as an ornament in
itself. Then came cloisonne enamel in
which the metal was first cut out in
narrow channels or ribbons, leaving
fine edges OF the metal to separate the
various colors. In this worl; tho
Japanese and Chinese excel and anti
quarians suppose that the art of enamel
ing was brought to Constantinople
originally from the far east. Various
|
The Niello work is beautiful specimen
of black enamel on silver. Some of the
most beautiful of painted enamels are
those in black and white and gray
tones. In this process the surface is
covered first with white enamel, and
then with black, and the black is then
cut through to show the white-or part
ly cut through to give the gray effect.
by this means, very beautiful effects
are produced. Mr. Barring Gould says
that this art is one that lends itself
especially TO the delicate handling OF
women. 1t is one that requires no
muscular exertion, is clean in its pro
cesses, and finally is especially adapted
to feminine ornamentation. 1t is a
work that need not take lady from
home, and need not occupy her whole
time. He adds: ''There must, OF
course, be knowledge of drawing, and
practice with the colors and with the
furnaces. But skill is readily acquired,
and the preliminary knowledge need
not be great A ready art, an artistic
eye and delicate hand are the first
requisites" 1t would be good thing
if some of our schools would give prac-
teal lessons in the art of Limoges
enameling. In the XVIth and XVIIth
centuries, when the art of enamelling
was at its height, some of the best work
was done by women, and one of the
largest schools for this work was
founded by a woman.-N. Y. Tribune.