The art of enamelling can trace its origins back at least four thousand years.  Some of the finest enamelling work was created between the 9th and 11th century AD in Bysantium.  Successive centuries saw the art of enamelling flourish in Central Europe.  It spread to China in the Middle Ages, whilst in France, Limoges became famous for the superb accomplishments of its artists, a reputation it still enjoys to this day.

Enamel is glass - a combination of silica and soda ash with the addition of small amounts of metal oxides to give the glass its colour.  It is fused to metal at 800 degrees C.

Plique-a-jour, or 'window of day' technique is 'backless' enamel, where the glass is held in suspension between the wires or aperture, giving a stained glass appearance.

Cloisonne enamels, lines of the design are created by bending and shaping copper, gold or silver ribbon wire.