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THO this Undertaking depends not altoge∣ther on our Art of Glass, being no more than an Application of Matters delivered in the Sixth Book; however we resolve to lay down this Manner of Enameling and Pourtraying on Metals, to bring this our Work to an higher perfection.
The Ancient Works of Enamel on Metals, were only of Black and White, with some few Tinges of Carnation, or Flesh-colour, as may be seen in the Limoge Enamel; in Francis the First's Time it became more improv'd, and they made use of Lights and Shadows▪ but the Enamel on Gold was of no better Stuff than that on Copper, and all the Works of it on Gold, Silver, and Copper, were of Transparent Matter; such as wrought it on thick, couched each Colour by it self, as is done now a Days in Enamel∣ing some particular Pieces of Relief, and not other∣wise.
Since then they have found out the way of Ena∣meling with opaque, and thick stuff, and the Art of compounding the Colours, is much more improve∣ing and handsomer than that of the Ancients, as is visible in all our Modern Works; but we must with∣out all Exception, own the fair Works upon Gold, representing Pourtraitures, and entire Histories, so neatly, and to the Life, and coveted as much as Pi∣cture done in Oyl, over which it has the advantage of Natural Lustre and Varnish, which is never tar∣nished, to be the Invention of this latter Age, and the Improvements we owe to the Study of the French therein.
All sorts of Enamel are not to be promiscuously employed on all sorts of Metal; Gold which perfect∣ly bears with as well all the Opaque as Transparent, cannot agree with clear Purple, its Yellow mightily changing the Colour thereof, and produces but a ve∣ry ill Fancy; on the other side, this Purple is very fine on Silver; so the Egmarine, the Azure, and Green all other Colours, as well clear as Opaque, disagreeing therewith, and Copper suits with every thick Enamel, but cannot endure the Limpid, unless prepared for it beforehand, as shall be directed in due place.
Observe that good Enamel must be hard and lasting, such as is soft being full of Lead, and subject to change Colour, easily becoming sullied and foul; of the clear Enamel some is harder, some softer; the hardest is always best, however even of them there is choice; some lose colour in the Fire, some are more or less lively and sparkling, but if you em∣ploy constantly such as we have prescribed in our Sixth Book, you'll never be exposed to those Incon∣veniencies; for the Ingredients being perfectly clean∣sed, will endure all degrees of Fire, any change of Colour or Quality not ensuing.