There are many different types of enamel including cloisonne, champleve and painted enamel. In the Art Deco era, vitreous enamel was popular. This technique involved fusing glass over metal which was usually engine turned. Clock and watch faces were usually enameled and items such as vanity sets and cases were also popular.
The color of enameled objects is obtained by the addition of various minerals, often metal oxides cobalt, praseodymium, iron, or neodymium. The latter creates delicate shades ranging from pure violet through wine-red and warm grey. Enamel can be transparent, opaque or opalescent (translucent). Different colors can be mixed to make a new color, in the manner of paint. Reference: Wikipedia
Below are some examples and price guides of Art Deco enamel items including an Art Deco card case and a “Dog of Fo” rose quartz table clock.
A diamond-set Art Deco enamel, lacquer and gold cigarette case, probably French, circa 1920 rectangular with canted corners, the black lacquer panels applied with a rose diamond-set geometric ornament and borders, the ends of green enamel, jewelled thumbpiece, the gold-lined interior fitted with a pierced cigarette holder to each side, struck with hexagonal control mark only 8.5cm., 3 3/8. in. wide
Sold for 2,500 GBP at Sotheby’s in 2018
AN ART DECO ‘DOG OF FÓ’ ROSE QUARTZ, MARBLE, ENAMEL AND ROSEWOOD ‘CHINOISERIE’ TABLE CLOCK, BY GUBELIN, CIRCA 1920 The rectangular pink and pastel green guilloché dial, black enamel Arabic hour numerals, fleur-de-lys hands, within a carved rectangular green marble case, supported by a base of similar material, to the left a carved rose quartz ‘Chinese dog of Fó’, the auspicious mystical guardian dog-lion, also known as the Imperial Guardian Lion, completed by a carved rosewood floral stand, mechanical movement, movement and dial signed Gubelin Lucerne, height 21.0cm, width 34.0cm, depth 12.0cm
Sold for HK$ 81,875 (£ 7,832) inc. premium at Bonham’s in 2019
ART DECO AGATE, CORAL AND ENAMEL SAINT CHRISTOPHER PLAQUE, CARTIER Silver gilt plaque depicting Saint Christopher, agate frame, coral cylinders, black enamel, silver (French marks), 2 ¾ x 1 ¾ x 5/8 ins., circa 1935, signed Cartier, maker’s marks (Jacques Cartier), ‘Made in France’, no. 2496 and 5621, fitted red Cartier case
Sold for USD 3,000 at Christie’s in 2020
Art Deco Silver and Enamel Pendant-Watch with Chain Rectangular dial, minor enamel loss, ap. 12.7 dwts. Length 26 inches.
Sold for $312 (includes buyer’s premium) at Doyle in 2020
AN ART DECO SILVER AND ENAMEL DRESSING TABLE SET. 1220 grams. Largest 37 cm.
Sold for £280 at Hannam’s Auctioneers Ltd in 2021
Fine Art Deco Sterling Silver, Enamel & Carved Cameo Agate Card Case. Condition: Generally Good.Dimensions: 3.25″ x 2″.Total Weight: 95.2g
Sold for $325 at World Auction Gallery LLC in 2021
