HOW IT’S MADE

The architectural enamel section is first cut to size. The section is then hammered to produce a texture on the metal and to raise and to lower parts of it. Different types of hammers are used to get different effects.

Pulverized glass is then sifted onto both the top and bottom of the hammered section. The glass applied to the bottom is held in place with an adhesive mixture. The section is rolled into an oven chamber and the top of the heated oven is lowered in place over it. The enamel is baked at a temperature range of 1300 to 1700 degrees Fahrenheit. Different temperatures are used for different glass coatings.

The enamel section is removed from the oven when it has reached the desired temperature and the glass coating has melted on it. It is cooled down and more glass is applied. The enamel section is again baked. Glass is applied once more. Figures or designs are created with the applied glass, and the enamel section is yet again baked. The process can continue for more than twenty such cycles.

The completed enamel sections are joined together to make a large architectural enamel

Step 1:

Copper is cut and hammered to shape and cleaned.

Step 2:

Pulverized glass is spead over the surface of the metal and the piece is fired in a kiln.

Step 3:

Once there is a base layer of glass, things like silver and gold foil, wire, and lumps of glass may be applied.

Step 4:

A piece may be fired many times before it is complete.