What We Do at Staffordshire Enamels
The Finest Enamel Boxes, Cufflinks and Bonbonnières
History of Enamel Boxes
A collection of antique enamels in the Victoria and Albert Museum inspired our founders, Ernest Johnson and Michael Turner, to begin a journey which would culminate with the return of decorative enamelling to the heart of England.
Originating in Staffordshire in 1741 enamel boxes were made to carry snuff, cachous (sweets to freshen the breath) and patches (beauty spots). Eighteenth century courting couples made them popular as gifts betokening lasting affection. A tradition now embraced by all who appreciate the finest quality and exquisite beauty of these entirely hand painted heirlooms.
It was the English enamellers, not the potters, who invented transfer printing. This was only possible using a single colour, but by employing skilled artists to hand paint over the outline the enamellers were able to produce richly decorated pieces of the very highest quality. Snuff boxes, scent bottles, salt boxes, tea boxes and bonbonnières (enamel boxes with painted china figurines super imposed) were all produced. However, it is the small, highly decorated, enamel box which came to epitomize English enamel and Staffordshire Enamels in particular.
English enamelling quickly became a thriving industry in direct competition with the potters and enamellers in other European countries. Yet by the 1840's the craft had all but died out. The Napoleonic wars closed off much of Europe, particularly the lucrative French market and the Industrial Revolution siphoned off most of the skilled workforce into more highly paid jobs.
For nearly one hundred and fifty years the art of decorative enamelling remained dormant. As with most successful revivalist movements several claim the credit. No one disputes that Ernest and Michael founded Staffordshire Enamels to adhere to the original decorative traditions and processes of the 1750's. Today every part of every box is sourced in England and is 100% Hand painted in England. Each of our enamel boxes is a work of art. The philosophy of Staffordshire Enamels is enshrined in Georgian authenticity. Mass production techniques and sourcing abroad are shunned in favour of faithful reproduction and truthful interpretation. Production methods have changed little from those used by our Georgian forefathers with lead and arsenic being replaced by kinder materials.
The Creation of Enamel Boxes
A Staffordshire Enamels box starts life as a copper sheet. The lid and base parts of the box are produced by spinning or pressing the shapes from thin copper sheets. The surface of the copper is 'pickled' in acid to clean and roughen it ready to accept the application of enamel.
Vitreous enamels is itself created from glass, which is milled to a fine powder and converted to emulsion by the addition of water and coloured oxides. Each copper form is coated with a ground coat of enamel either by spraying or dipping. Each coat is individually fired in kilns heated to 800 degrees centigrade to ensure longevity and the deep lustrous finish.
Artwork for each design is hand drawn by distinguished artists, including a number of our own highly skilled artists and approved by our Head Designer. Once the finished design has been approved an outline is drawn in black ink and a ceramic lithograph or decal printed. This is applied to the enameled surface of the box. A further firing fixes the black outline which is then used by the artist as a guide. Colours are hand mixed from specially selected fine pigments and oils such as clove, turpentine and aniseed. Platinum, gold and raised white decorations are all used on occasion to enhance the design and create special effects in the Georgian tradition. Once hand painting is completed, the most time consuming of all the many processes, the box is again fired to fix the colours and add the final glaze.
The finished parts of the box are then mounted into a 24ct gold plated brass bezel to form a complete box. The bezel comes in many different shapes, sizes and finishes including gold, silver and bronze. A final careful detailed inspection and hand polish before the exquisite enamel box is carefully placed in its presentation case ensures maintenance of Staffordshire Enamels unsurpassed quality standards.
Staffordshire Enamels boxes, bonbonnières, music boxes, cufflinks, paperweights and clocks are shipped all over the world to discerning collectors. The boxes are treasured not only for the pleasure they give today and everyday, but also for their investment potential.
Many collectors ask us to inscribe the inside lid with a special message. We are pleased to do this for a small extra charge.
Chelsea Bonbonnières
Chelsea porcelain and Battersea enamels combined between 1752 and 1756 to produce Chelsea Bonbonnières or Chelsea Toys, used to carry cachous or small sweets to freshen the breath. Staffordshire Enamels pioneered the revival of the art of making Chelsea Bonbonnières and now has a well earned reputation for producing a wide variety of different pieces crafted with unparalleled skill and attention to authenticity.
The crafting of a Chelsea Bonbonnières combines the china making skills of our native Staffordshire with our acknowledged mastery of enamelling. From the designer's artwork, often inspired by an 18th century original, the model is sculpted. Moulds are made for each of the individual parts then cast in china slip.
These parts are pieced together and embellished with delicate hand made flowers, leaves or other attractive natural minutiae. Fired in a kiln initially at 1200ºC the body is then coated with glaze and refired at 1080ºC before it is ready for decorating.
The Artists | |
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Michael Cooke |
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Catherine Higham |
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Mary Dennis |
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Bruce Higham |
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Janet Robinson |
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Amber Shaughnessy |
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Carole Walker |
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Mike Hemming |
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Carole Sheldon |
An artist enameller then hand paints the entire china bonbonnières. The same fine squirrel hair brushes used on our enamel boxes are used to achieve the delicate artistry that is inherent in the appeal of our bonbonnières. The china top is joined by an embossed brass mount base to complete the process. A final careful scrutiny to ensure the piece at least reaches our highest in the world quality standard and then our maker's mark and the initials of the artist are added thus creating the Staffordshire Enamels unique touchmark.
Touchmark
Every genuine Staffordshire Enamel box and Chelsea Bonbonnières carries the initials of the artist responsible for 100% hand painting it here in Staffordshire, England. The initials are added in a different colour each year. This is your guarantee the piece you hold and treasure was produced entirely from materials sourced in England by English craftsmen and women in the 18th century tradition. Every piece we sell is a unique piece of art created by a process more than 250 years old designed to give intense pleasure for the next 250 years.
Staffordshire Enamels artists work exclusively on each piece. Every enamel box becomes an individual work of art. For special commissions and inscriptions please contact our sales department at the address below.
To join the "Friends of Staffordshire Enamels" Club please send your name, address, telephone number and email address with your first order to:
Staffordshire Enamels Ltd.
Weston Coyney Road
Stoke-on-Trent
ST3 5JT
England
| Tel: | +44 (0) 1782 599948 |
| Fax: | +44 (0) 1782 599397 |
| Email: | sales@staffordshire-enamels.com |
| Website: | www.staffordshire-enamels.com |
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Staffordshire Enamels Ltd.
Weston Coyney Road
Stoke-on-Trent
ST3 5JT England
Tel: +44 (0)1782 599948
Fax: +44 (0)1782 599397
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