Russian Enamel Jewelry

Enamel Jewelry Art emerged in Russia in the 10th century and reached its perfection in the XVI – XVII centuries. Russian Enamel Jewelry is mostly known to the world as Vologda (Usolye) enamel and Rostov finift. Rostov finift takes its name from the old center of crafts and jewelry making in the city of Rostov, Yaroslavl region. Russian Enamel Jewelry is characterized by beautiful design, luster and transparency of enamel colors. Since ancient times Rostov finift and Vologda enamel have been always considered to be the most artful and valuable jewelry. Painted on enamel images preserved the purity, brilliance and color transparency for hundreds of years. The exclusive character of enamel miniatures is due to high skilled artists and extremely complex, time-consuming process of their manufacture.

Vologda (Usolye) enamel – traditional painting on white enamel which appeared in the XVII century in Solvychegodsk, then Vologda. Initially, the main motive was plant composition, floral ornaments, birds, animals, including mythological and using a variety of colors.

Rostov finift (from the Greek “finiftis” means “shining”) – Russian folk art craft of miniature painting on enamel appeared in XVIII century in Rostov (Yaroslavl region). Thumbnail images are performed on transparent enamel with fire-resistant paints, invented in 1632 by French jeweler Jean Tooten.

The process of creating miniatures on enamel is time consuming and difficult work of the artist, because the slightest deviation from the strict consistency in the work of even minute overexposure in the firing process can lead to damage of the product.

Enamel products

Factory of gold and silver products Gustav Klingert Teapot 1896
Factory of gold and silver products Gustav Klingert Teapot 1896
Russian Enamel Jewelry. Teapot and sugar bowl Silver, enamel 1908
Teapot and sugar bowl Silver, enamel 1908
Russian Enamel Jewelry. Sugar basket Silver, enamels 1908
Sugar basket Silver, enamels 1908
Russian Enamel Jewelry. Plate Silver, enamel 1908
Plate Silver, enamel 1908
Russian Enamel Jewelry. Nikolay Alekseev Coffee pot and glass holder Silver, gilding, enamel 1908
Nikolay Alekseev Coffee pot and glass holder Silver, gilding, enamel 1908
Russian Enamel Jewelry. Khlebnikov's workshop Cigarette case Silver, enamels 1896
Khlebnikov’s workshop Cigarette case Silver, enamels 1896
Russian Enamel Jewelry. Fruit basket Silver, enamels 1908
Fruit basket Silver, enamels 1908
Russian Enamel Jewelry. Factory of gold and silver products of Gustav Klingert Solnitsa 1896
Factory of gold and silver products of Gustav Klingert Solnitsa 1896
Russian Enamel Jewelry. Factory of gold and silver products of Gustav Klingert Cigarette case 1894
Factory of gold and silver products of Gustav Klingert Cigarette case 1894
Russian Enamel Jewelry. Factory of gold and silver products Gustav Klingert Box for pills 1894
Gustav Klingert Box for pills 1894
Enamel in jewelry in Russia
Enamel in jewelry in Russia
Russian Enamel Jewelry. Box for pills with camomiles Silver, enamels 1896
Box for pills with camomiles Silver, enamels 1896
Russian Enamel Jewelry. Antip Kuzmichev Serving teaspoons with enamels 1890
Kuzmichev Antip Serving teaspoons with enamels 1890
Russian Enamel Jewelry. Antip Kuzmichev Mirror and hair brush Silver, enamel 1890
Antip Kuzmichev Mirror and hair brush Silver, enamel 1890
Antip Kuzmichev Box for pills Silver, enamel 1890
Antip Kuzmichev Box for pills Silver, enamel 1890
Matchbox Silver, enamel 1908
Matchbox Silver, enamel 1908
Box with V. Vasnetsov's painting Three heroes Silver, enamels 1900
Box with V. Vasnetsov’s painting Three heroes Silver, enamels 1900
Factory of gold and silver products Gustav Klingert Serving spoon 1896
Factory of gold and silver products Gustav Klingert Serving spoon 1896
Factory of gold and silver products Gustav Klingert Caddy 1896
Factory of gold and silver products Gustav Klingert Caddy 1896
Caviar spoon 1890
Caviar spoon 1890
Spoons in the technique of Russian enamels
Spoons in the technique of Russian enamels
Khlebnikov's workshop Teapot Silver, gilding, enamels 1883
Khlebnikov’s workshop Teapot Silver, gilding, enamels 1883
Antip Kuzmichev Sherbet vase Silver, enamel 1910
Antip Kuzmichev Sherbet vase Silver, enamel 1910
Carl Faberge Charka Silver, enamel 1910
Carl Faberge Charka Silver, enamel 1910
Fyodor Rückert Caddy Silver, enamel 1899
Fyodor Rückert Caddy Silver, enamel 1899
Tea set Silver, cloisonné enamel 1900
Tea set Silver, cloisonné enamel 1900
Dishes in the technique of Russian enamel
Dishes in the technique of Russian enamel

Russian Enamel Jewelry photo