Enamel can be both very formal, and very expressive. Made of fused glass, it has moved past the formality of Edwardian and Victorian pieces to more freeform, and literal work.

This pendant by Portland, Oregon sculptor Alisa Looney is a case in point. A wave rolling through a crescent shaped pendant, it is almost Japanese in its execution. It’s enamel on steel, with a silver plated brass chain. It sells for USD $89 from ShopQuotidienne.com.