Alexandra has decorated the surface of this copper bowl with detailed designs of dragonflies using the technique of plique-à-jour enamel. She chooses subjects that will highlight the technique as well as her personal experimentation. In contrast to the traditional technique where holes are pieced in the metal surface, Alexandra places metal wires directly on the copper, as per the cloisonné technique, and creates light and ethereal colours with enamel.

Width 12.7 cm
Height 13.97 cm

Lace bowl, purchased by the V& A museum, presented a new challenge for Alexandra: “Could I make a bowl full of holes? It was an interesting puzzle and I loved trying to figure out all the problems I had during the process.” The surface of the copper bowl was decorated with enamel using Alexandra’s technique developed from the plique-à-jour method. The vitreous enamel is applied in layers, allowing the colours to blend, resulting in a light and ethereal effect.

Width 10.16 cm
Height 6.35 cm

This copper bowl, decorated with the plique-à-jour technique, was created as a study into varying shades of grey. Alexandra works on themes that highlight the qualities of enamel. In contrast to the traditional technique, where holes are pieced in the metal surface, Alexandra places thin gold or silver ribbons on copper, as per the cloisonné technique, and puts the enamel directly on the metal. The glass is applied in layers, allowing the colours to blend, resulting in light and ethereal colours.

Width 8.89 cm
Height 5.08 cm

The surface of this copper bowl has been decorated with detailed designs of jellyfish and underwater life using Alexandra's own technique developed from plique-à-jour enamel. In contrast to the traditional technique where holes are pieced in the metal surface, Alexandra places gold and silver strips directly on the copper, as per the cloisonné technique, and adds enamel in layers. This allows her to obtain a bigger range of colours.

Width 10.16 cm
Height 6.35 cm

Alexandra likes to work on subjects that accentuate and highlight the light and colours attainable with vitreous enamel. Over the years, she has developed the plique-à-jour enamelling technique, progressively pushing its limits. While this traditionally involves piercing the metal surface before adding enamel, Alexandra applies enamel directly to copper that she has already prepared with gold or silver cloisonné. The enamel is then applied in layers, a process that brings out different shades of colour.

Width 6.985 cm
Height 7.62 cm