Enamelling at the Lamp

—The art of the lamp enameller is one of the most agreeable and amusing that we know. There is hardly a subject in enamel which may not be executed by the lamp-flame in very little time, and more or le perfectly, according to the dexterity of the artist, and his acquaintance with the principles of modelling. In working at the lamp, tubes and rods of gla and enamel must be provided, of all sizes and colours. IMG:4147767755307473660_illo0438a.png:Enamelling table The enamelling table is represented in fig. 373. , round which several workmen, with their lamps, may be placed, while the large double bellows D below is set a-blowing by a treadle moved with the foot. The flame of the lamp, when thus impelled by a powerful jet of air, acquires surprising intensity. The bent nozzles or tubes A A A A , are made of gla , and are drawn to points modified to the purpose of the enameller. IMG:4147767755307473660_illo0438b.png:Enameller Fig. 374. shows, in perspective, the lamp A of the enameller standing in its cistern B ; the blowpipe C is seen projecting its flame obliquely upwards. The blowpipe is adjustable in an elastic cork D , which fills up exactly the hole of the table into which it enters. When only one person is to work at a table provided with several lamps, he sits down at the same side with the pedal of the bellows; he takes out the other blowpipes, and plugs the holes in the table with solid corks. The lamp is made of copper or tin-plate, the wick of cotton threads, and either tallow or oil may be used. Between the lamp and the workman a small board or sheet of white iron B , called the screen, is interposed to protect his eyes from the glare of light. The screen is fastened to the table by a wooden stem, and it throws its shadow on his face. The enamelling workshop ought to admit little or no daylight, otherwise the artist, not perceiving his flame distinctly, would be apt to commit mistakes. It is impo ible to describe all the manipulations of this ingenious art, over which taste and dexterity so entirely preside. But we may give an example. Suppose the enameller wishes to make a swan. He takes a tube of white enamel, seals one of its ends hermetically at his lamp, and while the matter is sufficiently hot, he blows on it a minikin flask, resembling the body of the bird; he draws out, and gracefully bends the neck; he shapes the head, the beak, and the tail; then, with slender enamel rods of a proper colour, he makes the eyes; he next opens up the beak with pointed sci ors; he forms the wings and the legs; finally attaching the toes, the bird stands complete. The enameller also makes artificial eyes for human beings, imitating so perfectly the colours of the sound eye of any individual, as to render it difficult to discover that he has a blind and a seeing one. It is difficult to make large articles at the blowpipe; those which surpa 5 or 6 inches become nearly unmanageable by the most expert workmen.