A Lesson On Basse-Taille Enameling For Jewelry
I actually just found out what this type of enameling technique is so I wanted to share my new-found knowledge. I’ve added the abbreviated definition to my Jewelry Terms list too if you ever need a quick reminder. The term Basse-taille, (pronounced bahs tie ya) is a French word that literally means “shallow cut”. The technique as it relates to jewelry is one in which the jeweler creates a chased or engraved pattern in metal. The highest point in the engraving is lower than the edge or border of the metal. Then a translucent enamel is poured into the recessed areas, resulting in pattern depth and color variations on the surface. I found different explanations in my research about whether the engraved pattern must be done by hand or if machine work is allowed. One source defined machine surface preparation as guilloche, so I imagine some people use the terms interchangeably.
Of course immediately I dug into my charm collection to identify any suspects. Here’s what I found - my beloved Thomas L Mott charms:
A look at the basse-taille jewelry for sale in eBay shows some interesting interpretations, all very pretty.
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Category: All About Old Jewelry
About the Author (Author Profile)
Wanda Fitzgerald is a Florida native and an vintage charm collector who loves to share her adventures in an e-commerce jewelry business with anyone who is interested.Subscribe
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