Improvements in Cloisonne Work and Mosaics.
Year: 1898

page_text: Date of Application, 9th Aug., 1898-Accepted, 5th Nov., 1898
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Cloisonne Work and Mosaics.
I. THEOPHIL PFIster, of 5, 6, & 7, Leusden Place, Golden Lane, in the County
of London, Manufacturer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and
in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and
ascertained in and by the following statement:-
This invention relates to cloisonné work and mosaics, and particularly to novel
methods of making the strips forming the outlines of the design.
Heretofore metal strips have been employed but this practice is objectionable
because the metal tarnishes when exposed to the atmosphere and the beauty of
the work is rapidly impaired. By my invention I provide novel outline strips
that do not tarnish but preserve their original beauty and brilliancy unimpaired
and hence they can be used without glass cover plates at the front.
According to one method I mark out the outlines of the design, upon the
foundation plate or bed on which the cloisonné or mosaic is made, by means of
a brush which has been dipped into a suitable adhesive material, for instance
gelatine, and I then sprinkle broken or ground glass or other suitable mineral
particles of the desired shade on the outlines so formed. The work is then laid
aside until the adhesive material has dried and the particles have become
thoroughly united to each other and to the bed plate, after which any superfluous
particles are brushed off. The design is thus permanently outlined in non-
tarnishable materials, and the spaces between the outlines and the background
are then filled in in the usual manner to complete the cloisonné or mosaic.
I sometimes use a stencil sheet when applying the gelatine or adhesive material,
thus facilitating the process very materially. The broken materials can be
applied either before or after the stencil sheet has been removed, the small spaces
caused by the transverse pieces of the stencil where they cross the openings being
filled in when the stencil is removed.
According to a further method I make the strips from strings of beads cemented
to the foundation plate. The beads are threaded upon strings sufficiently flexible
to allow of being easily bent to any desired shape and sufficiently stiff to retain
their shape when bent. I may use for this purpose cotton or other fibrous threads
which after the beads are threaded on them are suitably stiffened by being dipped
in varnish for example and then hung up to dry. In this way the beads are made
to adhere to the threads and to each other. I preferably use a thread which has
been already stiffened by glazing or otherwise. By another method of preparing
the threads I dip them in melted wax or the like and when dry I thread the beads
upon them, and then warm them slightly to soften or melt the wax so as to cause
the beads to adhere.
I may use gilt beads or crystal beads of various colours and so obtain a very
brilliant outline that will not tarnish when exposed to the atmosphere. In some
instances. as for example where a very narrow strip or outline is required, I may use
pointed beads, or flat wedge shaped beads that taper to a more, or less fine edge.

page_text: The small ends of the beads are brought to the front when a fine line is required
and the large ends when a wider line is required. These beads allow of graduating
the width of the lines in different points of the design as may be required to
improve the effects obtained in figure work and floral designs. I do not however
confine my invention to such beads as I may use any shape that is adapted for
the particular design required.
In lieu of a fibrous thread I sometimes use thin wire which may be dipped in
varnish or wax to cause the beads to adhere as above described with reference
to fibrous threads.
My improved bead cloisons can be used for the finest curves which are not
obtainable by ordinary metal strips.
My invention is applicable to all types of mosaics and cloisonné work having
division strips, no matter how the filling in is effected, and whether made on
smooth bed plates from which they are subsequently removed, or whether they are
made in the place where they are permanently to reside.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is:-
- 1. The method of forming the outlines of the designs in cloisonné work and
mosaics which consists in marking out the outlines with adhesive material with or
without the aid of a stencil, and sprinkling broken particles of glass or other
mineral matter on the adhesive material, which is then allowed to dry, substan-
tially as described.
2. Forming the outlines of the designs in cloisonné work and mosaics by means
of beads threaded on wires or fibrous threads prepared substantially as herein
described for the purpose specified.
Dated thin 9th day of Anunt 1000
GEORGE HARRISON,
35, Therapia Road, Honor Oak, London, Agent for the Applicant.