Enameled glass

Colored enamels were first used on glass by the Romans, and then by Islamic glassmakers from the 13th century onward. Enameling flourished in Venice in the 15th century, particularly on cristallo glass, a lightweight, thin, clear glass developed by Angelo Barovier in around 1450. Enamels are made of powdered glass mixed with a colored oxide and oil. After being painted onto a surface, they are heated in a furnace to form a hard material that is bonded onto the glass.

Early decorative patterns tended to be simple, such as lines and dots, and were restricted to borders. Later, more complex patterns, including coats of arms and mythological figures, were created. German and Bohemian glass makers adopted enameling in the mid-16th century, and the technique flourished in central and Northern Europe during the 17th and 18th centuries.

Enameling was most commonly applied to drinking vessels. These included the Humpen, a cylindrical beaker, and the Romer, a heavy footed and stemmed glass akin to a wine glass. Patterns were often applied by Hausmaler, enamelers who worked at home.

More in History Of Glass

Antique Glass	Roman Gold glasses	Blowing glass
Russian glass manufacturing	Stained glass	Enameled glass
Enameled and Gilded Glass from Islamic Lands	Milchglas	Schwarzlot
Gilded glass	Colored glass	Cranberry Glass
Engraved and cut crystal — Glass from famous Czech cutters and engravers	Enameling glass	Murano glass
Incalmo glass	Millefiori glass	Pulegoso glass
Filigrana	Cameo glass	English Cameo Glass
Galle	Daum	Delatte
Muller	deVez, Mont Joye, and Pantin	Legras
Le Verre Francais	D'Argental, Richard and Arsall	Baccarat, Saint Louis, and Val Saint Lambert
D. Christian Meisenthal, Vallerysthal, and Burgun and Schverer	Schneider	Kosta, Reijmyre, and Hadeland
Marcel Goupy	Others	Pressed glas
Acid-etched glass	Crackle glass	Ice glass
Brilliant cut glass	Flashed and cased glass	Iridescent glass
Carnival glass	Tiffany	American glassmaking
Modern American glassmaking	Lalique	Bohemian glass
Riihimaen Lasi Oy glassware	Kaj Franck	The Graal technique
Textured glass	Glass as sculptural art	Vicke Lindstrand
The Zanfirico technique	Modern Italian glass	Sommerso glass
Venini	The Fazzoletto vase	Blenko glass
Dale Chihuly	Clearly optical	Kiln forming and casting
Float glass	Triplex

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