The martyrdom of Saint Thomas Becket, champlevé, 1180s (detail)Detail of grisaille painted plate with the Rape of Europa, Jean de Court, c. 1560; the full piece
Limoges enamel has been produced at Limoges, in south-western France, over several centuries up to the present. There are two periods when it was of European importance. From the 12th century to 1370 there was a large industry producing metal objects decorated in enamel using the champlevé technique, of which most of the survivals (estimated at around 7,500 pieces),[1] and probably most of the original production, are religious objects such as reliquaries.
After a gap of a century, the industry revived in the late 15th century, now specializing in the technique of painted enamel, and within a few decades making rather more secular than religious pieces. In the French Renaissance it was the leading centre, with several dynastic workshops, who often signed or punchmarked their work.[2] Luxury pieces such as plates, plaques and ewers were painted with sophisticated Mannerist decoration of pictorial figure scenes, which on vessels were surrounded by elaborate borders.
In both periods the largest pieces include narrative scenes. These exemplify the styles of their respective periods. In the medieval champlevé the action is simply and directly shown by a few figures, with patterned backgrounds. In the Mannerist painted pieces numerous figures and detailed backgrounds tend to overwhelm the activity of the main figures.
Eucharistic dove in champlevé, early 13th-century
After a decline from about 1630, and later competition from porcelain, high-quality production revived in the mid-19th century, and adopted Art Nouveau and other contemporary styles, with a relatively small production.[3]
Limogesenamel has been produced at Limoges, in south-western France, over several centuries up to the present. There are two periods when it was of European...
other large works of goldsmithing. Limogesenamel was made in Limoges, France, the most famous centre of vitreous enamel production in Western Europe, though...
subsequently evolved into "Limoges", and "Lemovicinus" for the area around changed into "Limousin".[citation needed] Limoges was evangelized by Saint Martial...
Limoges porcelain is hard-paste porcelain produced by factories in and around the city of Limoges, France, beginning in the late 18th century, by any...
Limoges had been under English control but in August 1370 it surrendered to the French, opening its gates to the Duke of Berry. The siege of Limoges was...
with champlevé enamel to tell the story of Thomas Becket through literal and symbolic imagery. An exemplary showcasing of the Limogesenamel technique, this...
and wetted Enamels have traditionally been used for decoration of precious objects, but have also been used for other purposes. Limogesenamel was the leading...
16th-century style that was led by painted Limogesenamel, rather than the champlevé enamel for which Limoges was famous in the Romanesque period. The new...
painted Limogesenamel and oil painting, and served as official portrait painter to the monarchs of Scotland and France. The de Court dynasty of enamel painters...
Valerie of Limoges (also Valeria of Limoges) is a legendary Christian martyr and cephalophore, associated with the Roman period, whose cult was very important...
Courteys (d. 1602? ) was a French enamel painter, working in Limoges. Courteys, one of the best enamel painters of Limoges, and an excellent designer and...
(1513-1584) was a French enamelist. Reymond managed a large workshop in Limoges, where one of his disciples was Pierre Courteys. As was the practice of...
Hercules (Columne Ercole). Device of Charles V in Seville's city hall Limogesenamel depicting Hercules carrying the two columns, by Couly Nouailher, mid-16th...
The Spitzer Cross c. 1190, is a gilded champlevé enameled Crucifix, made in Limoges, France, by an unknown artisan whom scholars have named the "Master...
vocabulary developed in Limogesenamel. A group of high-quality pieces apparently originating in the Rhineland, which use both niello and enamel, include what may...
Suzanne de Court (fl. 1600) was a French enamel painter in the Limoges workshops, probably running a workshop of some size producing pieces of the highest...
dove's body. Many were made in Spanish or Limogesenamel, with generally only the wings and eyes in enamel, the rest being gilded. German theologian Matthias...
Bits, photographs and locations of twenty of the surviving medieval Limogesenamel chasses for relics of Becket Daily Telegraph:On this day in 1170: Thomas...
vermiculation is used to form a type of background found in Romanesque enamels, especially on chasse reliquary caskets. In this case the term is used...
Subsequent members of the family added noted collections of paintings, Limogesenamel, arms and armour, maiolica, manuscripts, prints and drawings. Waddesdon's...
covered in elaborately modelled relief animals and plants. Painted Limogesenamel adopted the style with enthusiasm around 1540, and many workshops produced...
laypeople. Metalwork continued as the most prestigious form of art, with Limogesenamel a popular and relatively-affordable option. In Italy, the innovations...
the finest German and Russian silver- and goldsmiths, and makers of Limogesenamel. This Rothschild/Mentmore collection is said to have been one of the...
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