‖ plique à jour
(plik a ʒur)
[Fr.]
A technique in enamelling in which small areas of translucent enamel are fused into the spaces of a wire framework to give an effect similar to stained glass.
| 1878 J. H. Pollen Anc. & Mod. Gold & Silver Smiths' Work p. clxii, French writers give this kind of [transparent] enamel the name of ‘plite’ or ‘plique à jour’. 1899 H. Cunynghame Art-Enamelling iv. 95 By plique-à-jour we mean filigree-work executed in gold or silver, and filled up with transparent enamels. 1959 Times 9 Feb. 10/5 Her work in cloisonné, plique-à-jour and champlevé won medals and certificates in several countries. 1964 H. Hodges Artifacts iii. 63 To do this type of work, plique-à-jour, the areas for the enamel were fretted and given a temporary backing of sheet mica or some similar material to which the enamel would not adhere. 1973 Country Life 26 July 250/2 A gold filigree cup with a band of enamel in the exacting technique of plique-à-jour. 1975 Times 1 Aug. 17/6 A gold, pliqué [sic] à jour enamel and crystal kaleidoscope jewel made {pstlg}750... It is an outstanding piece of French nineteenth-century craftsmanship. |