The glaze is a layer or coating of a vitreous substance which has been fired to fuse to a ceramic object to color, decorate, strengthen or waterproof it.

Ceramic glazes generally contain silica to form glass, in combination with a mixture of metal oxides such as sodium, potassium and calcium which act as a flux and allow the glaze to melt at a particular temperature. 

Alumina (usually from added clay) is added to stiffen the glaze and prevent it from running off the piece, colorants such as iron oxide, copper carbonate or cobalt carbonate, and sometimes opacifiers such as tin oxide or zirconium oxide are used to colour the glaze.

The glaze may be applied by dry dusting a dry mixture over the surface of the clay body or by inserting salt or soda into the kiln at high temperatures to create a sea of sodium vapor that interacts with the aluminium and silica oxides in the body to form and deposit glass . 

Liquid glazes—suspensions of various powdered minerals, and metal oxides—can be applied by dipping pieces directly into the glaze, pouring the glaze over the piece, spraying it onto the piece with an airbrush or similar tool, with a brush, or with any tool that will achieve the desired effect

Related Pages..

Glazes - materials used in pottery manufacture

Flambé Ware - type of pottery

Bernard Moore - Consultant Potter

index for the Moore
family of potters

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