Enameling is a highly skilled technique in which colored glass is fused to a metal base in the heat of a kiln to create glossy, vividly colored metal objects.
This film shows the creation of an enameled brooch—from the initial sketch to the final piece. Inspired by 18th-century silk designs, the brooch was made by Jane Short MBE, especially for the V&A’s collection. The brooch features two different enameling techniques: champlevé—where enamel is laid into spaces which have been carved out of the metal base, and basse-taille—where transparent enamels are used over an engraved pattern, allowing the pattern to be seen through the glass.
