ENAMEL
Colorful Craftsmanship

For more than a century, enamel has held a central place in our personal and national stories – from life’s major milestones, such as baptisms and weddings, to public commemorations and events. This rich tradition is the starting point for our exhibition, marking the 150th anniversary of David-Andersen. Here, you have a rare opportunity to experience both the history and the craft at close hand.

Interest in enameled works is stronger than it has been in decades. Today, we look at jewelry, hollowware, and cutlery with renewed enthusiasm. You can explore a fascination that spans from the prolific production of decorative and functional objects in the 1900s to the contemporary designer jewelry of today.

Over the past 140 years, Norway has played a prominent role in the development of enamel within craft, applied arts, and design. Used as both decoration and surface treatment, enamel lends metal objects a distinctive, luminous brilliance. Through generations, skilled goldsmiths have shown how technical precision and artistic flair can unite in objects with powerful visual appeal.

Among the most significant figures in Norwegian enamel art are David-Andersen and Tostrup. While Tostrup closed its doors in the 1980s, David-Andersen – established in 1876 – has carried the tradition forward and continues to play a central role today.

In 1859, David Andersen, a boy from a modest crofter’s background, became an apprentice to the goldsmith Jacob Tostrup in Christiania. At the time, Tostrup’s workshop utilized modern techniques and knowledge of enameling gained from his own apprenticeship in St. Petersburg. Enamel work is not a uniquely Norwegian phenomenon, but it became a field of goldsmithing where Norwegians eventually earned international acclaim.

Both Tostrup and Andersen were awarded gold medals at the World’s Fair in Paris in 1900. By then, enamel work had emerged as one of Norway’s most important exports, achieving a reputation that reached far beyond the country's borders. This recognition was so significant that the American firm Tiffany in New York sent their lampshades to Norway to have the intricate plique-à-jour (window enamel) work performed by Norwegian craftsmen.

The exhibition at Norsk Folkemuseum showcases exceptional craftsmanship from David-Andersen, Tostrup, and others, spanning from the 19th century to the present day. You may recognize objects from your own life—either as family heirlooms or as part of our shared cultural heritage. Enamel has been used in everything from interior decor and everyday items to brooches and swimming badges, testifying to a craft that has left its mark on both daily life and special occasions.

In the exhibition, you can also experience a workshop setting that demonstrates how this work was performed. This presentation of living craftsmanship connects historical traditions with the work being done by goldsmiths today, where knowledge, techniques, and professional pride continue to be held in high regard.

The exhibition is included with the entrance ticket to Norsk Folkemuseum.