How are three-dimensional figures enamelled in encrusted enamelling?

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Samson killing Philistines — Enamelwork Standing dish depicting Samson crushing the Philistines with the jawbone of an ass, enamel on copper by Pierre Courteys, c. 1580; in the Taft Museum of Art, Cincinnati, Ohio. Height 9.8 cm, diameter 22.9 cm.

Encrusted enamelling, also known as émail en ronde bosse, is a specialized technique used to apply opaque and translucent enamels to the irregular surfaces of three-dimensional objects or figures, which are typically crafted from gold.1

The primary technical challenge in this process is supporting and protecting these sculptural forms during the firing stage. To address this, artisans frequently use plaster of paris to envelop parts of the object. This method ensures that only the specific areas intended for enamelling remain exposed, allowing the enamel to be fused securely to the surface.1