champlevé

American  

[shahn-luh-vey] / ʃɑ̃ ləˈveɪ /

adjective

1. of or relating to an enamel piece or enameling technique in which enamel is fused onto the incised or hollowed areas of a metal base.

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noun

plural

champlevés

1. an enamel piece made by the champlevé method.

2. the technique used to produce champlevé enamels.

champlevé British  

/ ʃɑ̃lve, ˌʃæmpləˈveɪ /

adjective

1. of or relating to a process of enamelling by which grooves are cut into a metal base and filled with enamel colours

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noun

1. an object enamelled by this process

Etymology

Origin of champlevé

1855–60; < French, past participle of champlever to lift (i.e., take out) a field (i.e., a flat part), make hollow places on the ground to be engraved; camp ¹, lever

Example Sentences

When they bought this 19th-century Tiffany coffee pot in chased silver and delicate floral champlevé enamel, it had been polished to a high shine.

From New York Times • Apr. 1, 2022

Jeweler Holly Dyment's joyful black Labrador with encrusted diamond collar pendant is crafted in 18-karat rose gold and is made using a signature champlevé enameling technique.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 4, 2015

These were champlevé enamel plaques that were once attached to a large processional cross.

From New York Times • Nov. 18, 2011

After indulging in a pressed leather cutlery case from 15th-century Italy at €27,400, buyer 814 once again turned his attention to champlevé enamels.

From New York Times • Nov. 18, 2011

It helps one to understand the differences and similarities in enamelled work, to observe the three general forms in which it is employed; these are, the cloisonné, the champlevé, and the painted enamel.

From Arts and Crafts in the Middle Ages A Description of Mediaeval Workmanship in Several of the Departments of Applied Art, Together with Some Account of Special Artisans in the Early Renaissance by Addison, Julia de Wolf Gibbs