History of Technology in India, Vol. I: From Antiquity to c. 1200 A.D. v1.c34.s4.t5.2

v1.c34.s4.t5.2

The enamelling in medieval India was generally applied in grooves. The motif or patterns were drawn by the Citera or artist and the piece was handed over to the goldsmith, who completed his work leaving grooves to be enamelled. The enameller or *Mīnākār* first cleaned and burnished the plate and when applied his colours in order of their hardness or the power of resisting fire, beginning with the hardest or that which most resists the fire. All the known colours can be applied to gold. The black, green, blue, dark yellow, orange, pink and peculiar salmon can be applied to silver. The white, black and pink colour only can be applied to copper. In order of hardness, the colours are white, blue, black, yellow, pink, green and red. The pure ruby red, being the most fugitive, requires a great care and precision of an experienced craftsman. The Jaipur enamellers were the best in handling this colour. The pink enamel of Banaras was equally famous.