Enamel miniature

Enamel miniature—artistic images made with colored glassy paints on a metal surface, most often on gold or silver. The technique gained popularity in the 18th–19th centuries, especially in France and Russia, when enamel was used to decorate snuffboxes, portrait brooches, caskets, and religious items. Enamel miniatures are renowned for their richness of color, brightness, and durability: the paints are fired at high temperatures, becoming resistant to fading and moisture.

Classical subjects were portraits and mythological figures. For the master, impeccable command of proportions is important: the slightest mistake on a small plate ruins the work. In the 19th century, enamel miniatures with a "secret" were especially valued: beneath the portrait layer were hidden encrypted drawings or inscriptions that appeared under certain lighting. At auctions, such items are a rarity and a coveted trophy for collectors.