EMAILLOR Sàrl

émaux d'arts grand feux

Clocks and watches in Jussy

Contains automatically translated texts.

Enamel is a glassy material composed mainly of silica, feldspar, kaolin, and metal oxides, which are found in the form of crystals in their raw state. It is the various metal oxides, either naturally occurring or added by humans, that give it its diverse and infinite colors. This mixture is then vitrified at a very high temperature.
The application of enamel is preceded by a meticulous technical phase to define the cells that will receive the enamel.

There are two main techniques:

Cloisonné: gold wire is used to outline the contours of the designs, creating cavities that will receive the enamel, which is applied with a brush or pen.
Champlevé: engraving work in which the bas-reliefs are filled with enamel.

Once crushed and reduced to a fine powder, the enamel crystals can then be used to fill the previously defined spaces.
Once these have been filled with the different colors carefully selected beforehand, the firing phase begins.
This is a very delicate moment, as the outcome of the long and meticulous work carried out beforehand, often over several days or even weeks, depends on these final few minutes.
Only experience can determine the ideal firing time; a few seconds too long or a temperature that is too high can compromise hours of work.
All these operations must be repeated several times, with 4 to 10 firings sometimes necessary to allow the colors to express their full intensity...
In addition to all these techniques, we must not forget miniature painting, a technique often used to reproduce the works of great painters. The enamel is ground down so that, after mixing with specific oils, it becomes a substance similar to paint.
Applied with a brush in tiny strokes, this technique is certainly the most time-consuming and difficult to master. It is through numerous layers and consequently numerous firings (as a firing is carried out between each layer) that the colors reveal all their nuances and assert their full beauty...
This highly demanding skill requires a great deal of attention, and miniaturists often devote themselves entirely to this art... It is a profession in its own right in the world of enamel!
Once the piece is finished, it is unalterable...
Enamel retains its beauty and luster for centuries...
resisting the wear and tear of time indefinitely!
The work consists of cutting out small pieces of gold or silver foil to represent all kinds of motifs: from delicate flowers to fluttering dragonflies, Arabic numerals, and even bright stars...
The task is very delicate, as we are talking about foil that has relief and is thinner than a sheet of paper...
A common technique in the last century, the manufacture of paillons had disappeared several decades ago. Indeed, the ban on certain materials in workshops (for health and safety reasons) had made their production impossible... Thus, the many secrets of ornamental paillon manufacturing disappeared, leaving enamellers and other artists to work only with the stock accumulated in the years prior to these bans!
Unwilling to resign itself to the loss of this unique and precious art, Emaillor invested many hours in conducting tests and trials, which could sometimes prove very disappointing...!
The delicacy and meticulousness required to produce perfect straws make this art a real feat, and all modern technology proves useless in the face of this craftsmanship that had its heyday in the last century.
But through research and trial and error, and above all through passion and perseverance, we are now able to produce superb straws that proudly adorn our various enamel creations...
Far beyond simply reproducing old designs, we are now able to create an infinite variety of patterns thanks to the manufacture of new tools.
Only imagination limits this creativity...
With its ability to listen and its unique expertise, Emaillor will guide you and work with you to define the best approach to transform your dreams and ideas into concrete achievements.
Whether you are a professional or a private individual, whether it is a large-scale project or just a sketch, our experience, acquired over many years in the watchmaking and luxury goods industry, will enable us to best meet your needs. Together, we will work out the various steps leading from the idea to its realization, for a high-quality result that meets your expectations.
From the sketch to the painting, through the technical details to the final enamel, the richness and diversity of our expertise will reassure you in your choice to work with true professionals in Grand Feu enamel.