Carol Seanez on fri 13 sep 96
I had the opportunity to study with an Italian potter in Gubbio, Italy this
past summer on an internship. I learned a great deal from this master, but
failed (because of my poor ability to speak Italian) to fully comprehend what
he used to 'antique' his wares. His speciality was majolica.
My translation of what he was trying to explain to me of this black, smelly
stuff was that it contained tar or asphalt, turpentine, and wax. He wore
gloves when he used this, painting it on his wares with a brush, then rubbing
off with a rag. After this he put on talc and rubbed the pot down (lightly)
with steel wool. This gave it the look he wanted.
Now that I'm back in the States, and trying to wrap up my last year in an MA
program at Indiana Univ. of PA, I'm wondering if I should pursue the
technical 'antiquing' aspect in my work. Does anyone know of this black
stuff? Should I use it? Have any of you used this on your wares? Do you
know exactly what it is? Any thoughts or comments would be appreciated.
Carol Seanez
Pittsburgh, PA
Victor Bryant on sat 14 sep 96
Hello Carol
I don't know the recipe your Italian potter used for antiquing,
but you could try using black, brown etc. shoe polish instead,
I think you will find it works just as well. You don't say whether
he warmed the pots before brushing on the wax. Try it, because the
heat helps the wax penetrate deeper into the blemishes and crazing.
Black lithographic wax crayons melted in warm paraffin, turpentine or
white spirit will do a similar job too.
This 'antiquing' can be done to any type of glazed pot from raku to
porcelain but don't forget it only works on glazes that have some
surface blemishes - particularly crazing. Also, you may not see fine
craze lines until you've filled (emphasised) the lines with the
wax!
Have fun.
Victor Bryant
Kingston-upon-Thames UK
100672.2103@compuserve.com
Carolyn DiPasquale on sat 14 sep 96
>----------------------------Original message----------------------------
>failed (because of my poor ability to speak Italian) to fully comprehend what
>he used to 'antique' his wares. His speciality was majolica.
>
>My translation of what he was trying to explain to me of this black, smelly
>stuff was that it contained tar or asphalt, turpentine, and wax. He wore
>gloves when he used this, painting it on his wares with a brush, then rubbing
>off with a rag. After this he put on talc and rubbed the pot down (lightly)
>with steel wool. This gave it the look he wanted.
>
Does anyone know of this black
>stuff?
>
>Carol Seanez
>Pittsburgh, PA
Sounds like it may be Asphaltum, a very thick, sticky substance used as a
resist in etching on metal. Any good art supply store would have it. He
probably thinned it with an asphaltum thinner (wear your mask).
Carolyn
Wendy Hampton on mon 16 sep 96
Hi,
I do not have any knowledge of the technique you learned but I am interested
in taking a pottery class in Gubbio next summer. Could you please give me
information about the class you took and how I may be able to contact them.
Thanks,
Wendy from Bainbridge Island WA
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