A concise history of handmade enamel art
Usually Enamel art refers to the Azure colour of heaven. It is believed that vitreous enamel work had its beginning with early civilizations around the Mediterranean from the sixth century B.C. or even earlier. Greek sculpture from the fifth century B.C. The Iranian craftsmen of Sassanid era invented this art and Mongols spread it to India and other countries. It is very difficult to supply evidences of the enameling in Persian art history. But some experts link the historicity of enameling in Iran to the Arsacides and Sassanid periods. However, the use of this art in the Islamic period is not clear before the reign of the seventh ruler of Mongol empire’s Ilkhanid division in Iran, GhazanKhan (694-703 AH) who introduced Mongol Persia to Islam.
Usage of Enamel art especially for designing
Enamel art is usually used to embellish vase, jewelry and candle holder in addition to doors and chandeliers of holy shrines. Isfahan is the most important Iranian enameling hub. Copper has been the most inexpensive and satisfactory metal for use in enameling. It is easy to cut and shape and offers the fewest problems in fusing the enamels to its surface Copper can be obtained in sheets or pre-cut shapes through enamel suppliers, at large industrial sheet metal shops, or art and hobby stores. it is best that simple geometric shapes be used for beginning enameling projects. The basic shapes recommended for beginners are squares, rectangles, triangles, circles and ovals. These may be purchased in various dimensions, but it is advisable to experiment first on copper two inches or more in size, for ease of design.
How to Design and Manufacture Enamel art?
Enamels are purchased in different materials –finely ground powder, lumps, threads, liquid suspensions, oil based colors, etc. Enamel powders are either of opaque or transparent colors, each having its own characteristics.Fine silver is used in almost all enameling because the enamel (glass) melts and sticks best to a pure metal. In simple words, enameling is the process of making metal models (fine silver usually) and then melting various colors and types of glass on to the model to create a good art. Iranians are well known for producing Enameling of the highest beauty. The paintings or patterns used for enamel works in Iran are traditional designs depending on the taste and preferences of the artist. In the Iranian version of enameling, copper and silver are the most dominant metals used. There are also special tools used in this ancient artistic endeavor such as furnace, pliers, press machine, brush and so on….
Enamel`s fire torch time
Enamel art works can be washed with lukewarm water, soap and even ordinary detergents so The enamel is fired in an electric kiln until it reaches a fusing temperature of approximately 1500 degrees Fahrenheit.Extreme cleanliness is essential for successful enamel dusting. When a layer of enamel is placed on copper and put into the kiln, the enamel powder fuses to the metal, changing into a glass like state. The enamel spreads across the surface of the metal with surface tension. When the enamel is fired in the kiln for approximately two to three minutes, the enamel fuses consistently and evenly. If fired for less time, the enamel does not fully fuse and it retains some of its powder consistency. If fired for more time, the oxides from the metal go into solution with the glass, disturbing the surface tension of the enamel.
