Description
“Lost-base” plique-à-jour (shōtai shippō) is prepared following the same steps as wired cloisonné, but at the end of the process the copper vessel is dissolved in acid, leaving behind only the enameled surface. The Japanese term shōtai means “omitted base.”
After the metal base is dissolved, only the silver wire and the enamel glass remain. Works produced using this method are admired for the glistening lines of silver filigree suspended in the translucent enamel.
Process
- STEP 1
Silver wire is attached to a copper form and the compartments of the design are filled with enamel.
- STEP 2
The materials are fired to fuse them together and a vinyl chloride resin is applied to protect the surface of the piece.
- STEP 3
The piece is soaked in acid to dissolve the copper base. The protective film is removed, and the piece is polished and completed.
