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Decorative art took a very important place in our ancestor’s life, which is proved by different ancient works of art and chronicles.
Russian people had a very exquisite taste and love for decorative art could decorate their life with the help of amateur works of art.
Side by side with silver and gold in ancient Russia the most expensive and the most beautiful decorative material was a stained enamel, the technique of which was taken from Byzantia and got the name of a stained enamel, which means “light-coloured, bright stone”. Russian goldsmiths became familiar with that new material very fast.
The works of art made with the help of enamel brought a special gladness to man’s life. Enamel – is a very difficult and labour – intensive technique. Goldsmiths, who worked with enamel, had an irreproachable taste. They could perfectly combine the function of the object with its visible beauty, approaching the full harmony, unity and figurativeness.
Enamel is a special fusion of glass usually in the form of powder in which different metals oxides are added, they give one or another colour to enamels. After the glazing that fusion turns into a very hard shining mass with bright colours. For the sake of even distribution of heat and prevention of deformation, the inner side of the plate is covered with so called “contraenamel” and then it is possible to paint on it.
There are different kinds of enamels: partitional enamel, hollowed enamel, to fretwork, to founding, to filigree enamel ornament, to engraving, founding and stamped relief, painted enamel, strained-glass window enamel, irrigation enamel.
Russian goldsmiths and silversmiths were famous in Europe as Byzantines for fineness and carefulness of their art works. Enamel art had Russian national traits.
In contradistinction to oil painting, enamel as the material, is more lasting and doesn’t lose its colourfulness. Its colours stay so bright as if it the enamel was been just produced. Enamel is a very important part of Russian applied art. That technique settled down in Russia, because it was in keeping with our ancient traditions of art.
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