White enamel?

[Tarbicus]

I can't recall ever seeing white enamel being used on original Roman items. Anyone know of any examples, or if it's a definite "no no"?

[Marcus Mummius]

I think it has used sometimes on fibulae but I don't have pictures of originals at hand. I think I remember a cat shaped fibula with white enamel...


Edited: I found this on the Aurificina Treverica website:

Roman catbrooch after an original of the 1./2.century AD, found in Luxembourg.
Brass with green and white enamel.
Length: 1,2 inches.



You could trace down this original to see if it really has white enamel, but the replica's of Erik and Ira are pretty accurate most of the time.

Hope this helps!

Vale,

[Tarbicus]

Thanks Jef. Much obliged.

[Peroni]

I spoke to Nodge Nolan on this Jim,

Some coloured enamel will go white over time losing its original pigment.

If you see such finds which look like white enamel, it's generally due to loss of colour (red is especially prone apparently)

I have a nice cavalry harness pendant at home, and it has white inlaid crescents. His first words were that they would have originally been another colour!

[Tarbicus]

Thanks Ade. I was just making sure it was in use before buying some. So, I won't be buying any.

[Peroni]

Jim,

Nodge has further clarified the conversation we had after reading this thread..

There are certainly examples of Romano-British enamelling using white enamel, however enamels can lose their colour over time and appear white. Indeed red coral, often used as decoration on Iron-Age studs etc. can now appear white too.

Bateson mentions white enamel on some button-and-loop fasteners although blue and red seem predominant.Seal boxes sometimes display white enamels as do brooches.
hope this helps.
cheers nodge

But, (AFAIK) for first century military objects only niello was used as opposed to enamelling.

[Tarbicus]

Jim,

Nodge has further clarified the conversation we had after reading this thread..

Thanks for that. I've seen pics of some such items.

But, (AFAIK) for first century military objects only niello was used as opposed to enamelling.

Yup, that seems the trend, but it's for a more Trajanic impression so falls into the 2nd-C period. Don't forget the 1st-C helmets with enameled rivets, and that's what I'm thinking of, but a bit more elaborate :wink: White paint will do, instead of white enamel.

[Peroni]

Don't forget the 1st-C helmets with enameled rivets

Yes, that's true! Some of them are actually red/pink coral inlay :wink:

Some enameled pugio suspension loop rivets too.

[Crispvs]

"But, (AFAIK) for first century military objects only niello was used as opposed to enamelling"

Ahem....

"Some enameled pugio suspension loop rivets too"

Not to mention the heavy use of red enamel, as well as yellow, in the decoration of pugio sheaths, alongside the niello, silver and brass.

Crispvs