| The unique and beautifully hand crafted arts of | | | | and shining of the end product. Along with silver, other |
| Russian silver with enamel is a perfected fine art | | | | chosen metals can be copper and gold for the main |
| started over two centuries ago. Although several | | | | artistic base object. |
| countries also have a strong artistic talent in creating | | | | The "Basse-Taille" process of Russian Silver with |
| very exquisite art works of silver and enamel, Russian | | | | enamel is similar to the "Champleve" process on silver |
| artists still are today the best at the art of silver inlays | | | | or gold. The metal object of choice is engraved or |
| with boldly colorful enamels. The Russian artists over | | | | hammered to various depths according to the desired |
| time have created several methods as to how the | | | | design. Transparent enamel is then applied to the |
| two materials of silver and enamel can be manipulated | | | | depressions, which will reveal the design below the |
| into true artistic beauty. | | | | transparent enamel. |
| Although there are several methods of creating | | | | The method of "Plique-a-Jour" is a resemblance to the |
| Russian silver with enamel, the method of "Champleve" | | | | "Cloisonnes" style except for the partitions are touching |
| is the most commonly used style. This is a form of | | | | each other instead of the metal base, which is |
| inserting grooves of desired designs into the silver | | | | removed after firing for the finalization. The shell |
| artwork so to be able to fill the grooves with durable | | | | remaining of the enamel after removal of the base |
| and brightly colored enamels. The object is then fired | | | | gives the effect of stained glass. Due to no enamel |
| at a very high heat of approximately 1000 degrees for | | | | base at the finalization of the art, the enamel is |
| a permanent hard enamel finish to raise from the | | | | extremely fragile and historically there are very few |
| designed grooved areas. The object is then filed down | | | | early objects of art still around done by this method. |
| for any roughness and shined to enhance the final end | | | | The method of encrusted enamel is spreading of a |
| result. | | | | white enamel paste over the uneven surfaces of a |
| One of the next most common methods of Russian | | | | sculptured design to heighten the effect of the art. The |
| silver and enamel is the "Cloisonnes" method. This style | | | | last type of enamel art is painted enamels resembling |
| of enamel application is done in sections by laying very | | | | oil painting for the reason of there being no metal lines. |
| thin silver wires upon the desired silver object and then | | | | With the metal slightly concave, both sides are cover |
| applying the choices of enamel and again firing in the | | | | with clear enamel and fired. |
| 1000 degree heat. The final touches are done by filing | | | | |