The Brilliance of Glass

Enamel in all its forms – cloisonné, champlevé, painted, opaque, transparent or opalescent – has been a source of fascination for centuries. Behind the apparent simplicity of its composition of glass and metal oxides lies the expert skill of the enamellers who have mastered its preparation, application and firing in the furnace. Even today, decorating a watch with enamel is a kind of alchemy that is still part shrouded in mystery, which this brochure aims to dispel. The precious items on display are sourced from the prestigious collections of the Musée international d'horlogerie in La Chaux-de-Fonds. They form part of a dialogue with the study collection of the city's School of Applied Arts,which is celebrating its 150th anniversary in 2022.