The Origin of Enamel Cookware

The origin of the enamel pot can be traced back to the ancient enamel craftsmanship. Initially a decorative technique for precious metals, it gradually evolved into cookware combining metal and enamel. Its core development spanned multiple countries and eras, as detailed below:

1. The Sprout and Spread of Early Enamel Craftsmanship Archaeological discoveries indicate that the earliest enamel artifacts date back to the 13th century BC, such as cloisonné enamel gold rings found in Mycenaean tombs in Cyprus. Ancient Egypt also used materials similar to enamel for jewelry making at an early stage. By the 6th century AD, enamel craftsmanship further developed in Europe, with enamel products featuring exquisite colors but being rare, thus becoming a luxury enjoyed only by nobility. In the 8th century AD, enamel craftsmanship was introduced to China via the Silk Road. Initially, it involved coating copper Fetal body with enamel materials and firing them, later becoming imperial Imperial goods. During the Ming Dynasty, it reached its peak with the development of Jingtailan (cloisonné) craftsmanship.

2. The Prototype and Birth of Modern Enamel Pots The true combination of enamel with pots began in late 18th-century Europe. In 1788, the German Konigsmark Foundry pioneered the attempt to apply glass-like glaze to metal utensils such as copper and iron, and after firing, created early enamel pots, marking the prototype of enamel pots as cookware, which solved the problem of rusting in traditional metal pots. Around 1890, a French blacksmith, in response to noble demand for cookware that was heat-distributing, durable, and easy to clean, applied craft enamel to the surface of cast-iron pots. This combination retained the excellent heat conduction of cast-iron pots while enhancing practicality and aesthetics through the enamel layer, meeting the needs of nobles at the time, thus giving birth to French-style enamel pots.

3. Popularization and Development of Enamel Pots In its early stages, enamel pots remained exclusive to the European nobility due to complex craftsmanship and limited production, often passed down as family dowries. Later, with the advancement of the European Industrial Revolution, improvements in steel smelting technology, and maturation of enamel firing techniques, the production cost of enamel pots decreased and output increased, allowing them to gradually enter ordinary households. In modern times, enamel pots have gained global popularity due to their high Appearance, excellent heat retention and freshness preservation, and corrosion resistance. French enamel pots are even hailed as a "national treasure" and one of the local cultural heritages, while also giving rise to numerous well-known brands, becoming a favored cookware in households worldwide.