Forum Pakistan

Enamels
Enamelling is believed to have appeared in South Asia under the influence of the countries of the Muslim Orient and flourished at the time of the *Mughals. Trays, dishes, caskets, jewellery, and weapons were ornamented in the workshops of Lahore and Multan. In terms of technique, enamels were of the champleve type. Cuts on metal surfaces were filled with powder consisting of ground metal oxides mixed with glass, the object was then fired. Enamels were applied to gold and silver. The reverse side of almost all Mughal ornaments was covered with enamel embellished with extremely fine patterns reminiscent of those on the best specimens of Mughal architecture.

In modern Pakistan, the main centres of production of enamels on silver are Multan, Karachi, and Lahore. Enamels on copper are popular in the *Punjab.