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Why are translucent enamels important in basse-taille work?
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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.
In basse-taille work, translucent enamelwork is essential because it allows the underlying engraved or chased metal relief to show through the vitreous surface.12
Because the enamel is applied in varying thicknesses over the undulating surfaces of the low relief, the light reflects back through the translucent layers from the gold or silver base. This interaction creates several critical artistic effects:2
- Tonal Variation: The thickness of the enamel dictates the intensity of the color, ranging from bright highlights to rich, deep tones in the recesses.2
- Plasticity: These subtle variations in tonal strength create an impression of three-dimensional modeling and depth.2
- Brilliance: The reflected light provides a luminous, brilliant quality to the object, similar to the way sunlight enhances a stained-glass window.12
By utilizing the reflective properties of the metal base, the translucent enamel transforms a flat, low-relief carving into a composition with dramatic play of light and shade.12