Ceramic material that has been glazed with enamel is often referred to as "vitreous china." When an intense amount of heat is applied to powdered glass, the result is a liquid glass that is used to coat small objects. When this glass is allowed to cool, china manufacturers are able to create vitreous china. Frequently, this type of china takes on a gold hue, though other colors are also possible.

The practice of coating an object with enamel has been in existence since the Ancient Egyptians. Following the Egyptians, the Ancient Greeks, Chinese, Russians, and Celts adopted the craft of creating vitreous china. In addition to coating ceramic objects with enamel, these ancient civilizations also applied fused powdered glass to metal objects.

Historically, creating glass powder was possible through the crushing of glass, or through mixing colorless glass with metallic oxide. Various designs were then hand-painted over the top of the cooled glass. Following the painting of an object, all items had to be fired inside of a large wooden oven that was capable of heating these objects to very high temperatures. Perhaps the most widely recognized enamel object in history is the Faberge Egg.

During the 1800s, Peter Carl Faberge, a Russian jeweler, was commissioned by the Czar to create an Easter Egg for the Czar's wife. Faberge created an egg that was made from metal, coated with enamel, and encrusted with precious jewels. From that day onward, Faberge eggs were the height of sophistication, and some people still collect these eggs today. When the Art Nouveau period rolled around, coating certain objects with enamel became immensely popular. The material itself is a chemically-resistant, durable, smooth, shiny, and impossible to burn — one of the reasons why so many ancient enamel items remain intact today.

The use of enamel greatly expanded during the early 20th century when many different items, including cast iron bathtubs, kitchen appliances, and advertising signs, were coated in enamel. The one disadvantage to vitreous china is its tendency to crack when stressed. Thus, some objects should not be coated with enamel.

Colored vitreous china is made by mixing crushed glass with various minerals. Cobalt and iron are two of the most popular minerals used to create vitreous china. While the practice of covering objects with enamel is not as widespread as it once was, many artists are still creating enameled objects today. While most artists choose to coat ceramic with enamel, this type of finish can also be applied to porcelain and certain types of metal.