# Plique-à-jour: enamel without a backing

> Plique-à-jour is translucent enamel in cells with no base, letting light pass like a miniature stained-glass window; typical of Art Nouveau jewelry.

- Source: https://www.711grados.com/en/plique-a-jour-enamel/
- Language: en
- Note: This entry was drafted with the help of AI and is pending review by the author.
- Published: 2026-06-13
- Updated: 2026-06-13
- Translation (es): https://www.711grados.com/es/plique-a-jour/
- Author: Sandra Sánchez
- Site: 711 Grados (https://www.711grados.com/)

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Plique-à-jour (“letting in daylight”) is enamel that fills cells with no metal backing. With no base, light passes through it, as in a tiny stained-glass window.

![Steps of the technique: Pierce the frame, Set a backing, Fill, Fire, Remove the backing, Polish](https://www.711grados.com/media/diagrams/plique-steps.en.svg "Summary of the steps")

## How it is done

1. Cells are cut in the metal or a frame of wires is built.
2. The cells are filled with translucent enamel, held by surface tension.
3. It is fired carefully and repeated.
4. It is polished on both sides.

## Difficulty

It is one of the hardest enameling techniques: the glass can break on cooling. That is why the pieces are delicate.

## Style

Closely associated with Art Nouveau (dragonfly wings, leaves), with examples by Lalique and Fabergé.

## Care

It is fragile: avoid knocks and do not clean it in an ultrasonic cleaner.

## Step by step

1. **Pierce the frame.** Cut the cells in a sheet or build the frame.
2. **Set a backing.** Fix the piece on a mica sheet.
3. **Fill.** Fill the cells with transparent enamel.
4. **Fire.** Bake carefully.
5. **Remove the backing.** Take off the mica or support.
6. **Polish.** Smooth both sides.

## Tools and materials

- Silver or gold frame
- Transparent enamels
- Mica sheet or copper support
- Enameling kiln

## Common mistakes

- Opaque enamel: it does not let light through.
- Cells too large: it breaks.
- Cooling suddenly: it cracks.
- Removing the support too soon.

## See also

- [Enameling: techniques and process](https://www.711grados.com/en/enameling-techniques/)
- [Cloisonné: enamel in cells](https://www.711grados.com/en/cloisonne-enamel/)
- [Sawing and piercing: cutting and hollowing metal](https://www.711grados.com/en/sawing-and-piercing/)