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crazing/crackle

updated sat 31 may 97

 

Ric Swenson on mon 5 may 97

Crazing: a defect in functional ware when the surface glaze lacks fit with
the clay body, usually due to an imbalance in the amount of silica in the
formulation, or too quick cooling. This defect can make cleaning food
residue from the piece difficult.

Crackle: an effect in non-functional wares used to decorate the surface of
a ceramic piece with a pattern of cracks on the glaze surface. The cracle
can be stained with tea, or even with stains and refire for interesting
decorative effects.

CRAZING or CRACKLE ?

defect or effect?

sorta depends on your point of view and the desired function of the piece, eh?

just a thought.

Ric


>----------------------------Original message----------------------------
>As a point of discussion. All glazes will craze on the clay at one point in
>time or another. It may take 100 years but it will happen. If you don't
>believe this go to a museum or gallery or even look at the pictures in your
>trusty World Ceramics book. Even the ancient Chinese bowls with all their
>extensive testing and perfect fitting "relatively speaking" easy to calculate
>clear glazes are now crazing.
>
>I suppose that in theory one could make a glaze to fit a pot perfectly but I
>don't believe anyone has done it yet.
>Kat

Ric Swenson, Bennington College, Route 67-A, Bennington, VT 05201-6001 ph
802 442-5401 vox 262 fax 237 direct fax line 802 442-6164 or
email rswenson@bennington.edu