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Enamelling furnaces, 18th century
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Enamelling furnaces, 18th century
Furnace for enamelling watch dial plates and Henry Bones enamelling furnace. Copperplate engraving by Wilson Lowry after a drawing by John Farey from Abraham Rees Cyclopedia or Universal Dictionary of Arts, Sciences and Literature, Longman, Hurst, Rees, Orme and Brown, London, 1811
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Media ID 23164800
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Abraham Arts Bone Chemistry Cyclopedia Dial Dictionary Enamel Enamelling Engineering Farey Furnace Rees Revolution Sciences Universal Watch
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This copperplate engraving, taken from Abraham Rees' Cyclopedia or Universal Dictionary of Arts, Sciences and Literature published in London in 1811, offers a fascinating glimpse into the world of 18th century enamelling techniques. The image depicts two enamelling furnaces, with the one on the left identified as a 'Furnace for enamelling watch dial plates.' The intricately detailed illustration reveals the complex process involved in creating the delicate and vibrant enamel work that adorned the faces of high-end timepieces during this period. The larger furnace, labelled as a 'Henry Bones enamelling furnace,' is named after the renowned English enameller Henry Bone (1755-1834). Bone was a leading figure in the enamelling industry, known for his exceptional skill in creating enamel work for various applications, including watch dials, snuffboxes, and other decorative items. The engraving, created by Wilson Lowry after a drawing by John Farey, provides a meticulous representation of the enamelling process. The furnaces, fueled by charcoal, reached temperatures of up to 800 degrees Celsius to melt the enamel powders. The molten enamel was then applied to the watch dial plates using a brush or quill, and once cooled, the plates were polished to a high shine. This illustration is a testament to the ingenuity and craftsmanship of the 18th and early 19th centuries, showcasing the intricate fusion of art and science during the Industrial Revolution. The enamelling process, though laborious and time-consuming, produced exquisite results that were highly sought after by the affluent classes, making it a significant contribution to the world of watchmaking and decorative arts.
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