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Valeri Timofeev plique-a-jour enameling art

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Valeri Timofeev plique-a-jour enameling art

Stunningly beautiful figure of fish. Valeri Timofeev plique-a-jour enameling art

Valeri Timofeev plique-a-jour enameling art
Talented Russian jeweler Valery Timofeev (1941, Latvia – 2014, United States) was born in Latvia. He moved to Moscow in 1967 to get the art education. After graduation he got a degree in arts and crafts. Timofeev decided to become a jeweler in 1972, when he saw the work of Rasul Alikhanov, a prominent jeweler artist of Dagestan. In his work Dagestanian jeweler used techniques of engraving, filigree, cloisonn’e enamel. Technical virtuosity of his products inspired Timofeev. In the process of mastering the traditional methods, he studied the technique used by jewelers of the older generations. Works by legendary jewelers Pavel Ovchinikov, Ivan Khlebnikov, working for Faberge, are real masterpieces of plique-a-jour. He studied plique-a-jour enameling art in the museums, read and experimented, learning the secrets of the time.

The art of plique-a-jour enameling by Valeri Timofeev

Exquisite plique-a-jour enameling art by Valeri Timofeev

Determined to revive the “lost” art, Timofeev investigated the process for a few years. Over time, he mastered the technique and the developed his own individual style, driven by both the beauty of art in cloisonne enamel and riddles of its production in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. In particular, the works of outstanding masters of Faberge – Ovchinnikov, Khlebnikov, Timofeev revived and adapted the plique-a-jour enameling art.

Valeri Timofeev plique-a-jour enameling art

Fabulous plique-a-jour enameling art by Valeri Timofeev

Fabulous plique-a-jour enameling art by Valeri Timofeev

The technique of plique-a-jour was adopted by Kievan Russia (strong trading partner of Constantinople) with other enamel techniques. In fact, Plique-à-jour tableware was available only for aristocracy. Meanwhile, Russian masters significantly developed plique-a-jour technique. Thus, in addition to cells cut in precious metal they worked with cells made of silver wire. Unfortunately, the plique-à-jour technique of Kievan Russia was lost after the crushing Mongol invasion in the 13th century. However, some surviving examples decorate the Historical Museum in Moscow.

This filigree technique enables light to shine through the enamel like stained-glass. Russian masters predominately worked with tableware. Precious artistic tableware, decorative and applied art from the stained glass enamels always considered the top jewellery.

Fabulous plique-a-jour enameling art by Valeri Timofeev

Faberge inspired Easter egg made in plique-a-jour technique of enameling

enameling art by Valeri Timofeev

Stunning plique-a-jour enameling art

enameling art by Valeri Timofeev

Masterpiece of plique-a-jour enameling

enameling art by Valeri Timofeev

Gorgeous vases made in plique-a-jour enameling technique

enameling art by Valeri Timofeev

Circus gymnasts

enameling art by Valeri Timofeev

A pike

enameling art by Valeri Timofeev

A vase

enameling art by Valeri Timofeev

A bowl

enameling art by Valeri Timofeev

Closeup

enameling art by Valeri Timofeev

A plate

enameling art by Valeri Timofeev

Emerald color vase

enameling art by Valeri Timofeev

Fabulous plique-a-jour vase

enameling art by Valeri Timofeev

Sea world

enameling art by Valeri Timofeev

Beautiful vase

enameling art by Valeri Timofeev

Enameling art by Timofeev

enameling art by Valeri Timofeev

Autumn vase

enameling art by Valeri Timofeev

Gorgeous plique-a-jour enameling art

enameling art by Valeri Timofeev

Russian jeweler Valery Timofeev (1941, Latvia – 2014, United States)

website valeritimofeevenamels.com