Enamels

Enamels are made by fusing finely-ground glass to metal. Vibrant as the day they emerged from the kiln, our rich and outstanding collections, created over many hundreds of years, showcase a wide range of highly skilful enamel techniques.

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The art of enamelling on metal has been practised in most countries of mainland Europe, in Britain and Scandinavia, as well as in Russia, the Middle East, South and East Asia and the US. Highlights of our collections include medieval enamels, Renaissance painted enamels, enamelled portrait miniatures, gold boxes and jewellery from Europe, enamels from the Arts and Crafts revival and Art Nouveau periods, 19th-century Indian enamels, imperial and export Chinese enamels and a world-class collection of Japanese enamels.

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Header image:

Ring tray, Eugene Feuillâtre, about 1901, France. Museum no. M.24-1972. © Victoria and Albert Museum, London