How was it made? Guilloché enamelling | V&A

Guilloché is a highly decorative technique which has been used in metalwork since the 18th century to create intricate patterns – such as waves and ripples – and luminescent colours on a metal surface. Combining mechanical engraving and translucent enamels (coloured glass powder, fused to the metal with intense heat), guilloché can only be achieved with specialised machinery known as ornamental lathes. Watch as an engine turner and an enameller decorate a metal plate with the centuries-old enamelling process.

00:00 Sharpening the engraving tool
00:24 Preparing the metal plate
00:52 Engraving with the rose engine turning lathe
02:12 Preparing the engraved plate for enamelling
02:20 Grinding coloured glass to make enamel
03:18 Applying the enamel
03:35 Firing, smoothing and polishing
04:16 The finished piece

Find out more about our enamels collection: https://www.vam.ac.uk/collections/ena...