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How was an enamel portrait miniature made in the 18th century? In this video, watch enamel artist Ruth Ball painstakingly recreate a portrait miniature of Queen Charlotte, based on an original painted in 1781.Enamelling is the delicate process of firing finely ground coloured glass powders onto a thin metal base. Layer by layer, the glass is fused in a kiln to create luminous, durable images. The copper sheet used for the base is less than 1mm thick — just strong enough to support the enamel while preventing warping during firing.
Despite the passage of more than two centuries, the meticulous techniques used to create enamel portrait miniatures have hardly changed since they were first developed. Watch the full process unfold, complete with unintentional ASMR sound — from grinding enamel powders to the final reveal of the completed portrait.