Talk:Overglaze decoration

Lusterware

@Johnbod: this article doesn't mention Lusterware; was that the earliest type of overglaze or were there other types? The way this article starts with "Overglaze decoration, overglaze enamelling", as if the latter is a synonym rather than a subset, confused me. Onceinawhile (talk) 23:19, 19 June 2020 (UTC)[reply]

overglaze enamels are essentially vitreous enamel, ie melted glass, applied to pottery. Overglaze decoration and overglaze enamelling are effectively synonyms as used by most sources, although it is true that lustre is also an overglaze effect - if writers mean lustre they normally just use that term. The lustreware effect is also a final coating applied over the glaze, and fixed by a light second firing, but uses a very different method, applying small amounts of metallic compounds (generally of silver or copper) mixed with something to make it paintable (clay or oche apparently). This is then fired in a reducing atmosphere at a temperature high enough to "soften" the glaze from the first firing, and break down the metallic compounds, leaving a very thin "perhaps 10 or 20 atoms thick") layer that is fused with the main glaze, but is mainly metal. It normally only uses one colour per piece, and the range is limited - in this period "gold" normally. Overglaze enamels leave a much thicker layer of glass, the edges of which can be felt by running a finger over the surface. Both techniques were largely taken from earlier use on glass in the Islamic world - I need to add to enamelled glass on this. Details from the last, technical chapters of Caiger-Smith. Hope that helps. Johnbod (talk) 01:47, 20 June 2020 (UTC)[reply]

Hi Johnbod, that is a great explanation, thanks. I wonder if it would be less confusing if this page was moved to the title “Overglaze enameling” per WP:PRECISE. Onceinawhile (talk) 08:38, 20 June 2020 (UTC)[reply]

I'll take a look at usage, but I suspect that just Overglaze, which redirects here, might be commonest. Either way, it needs expanding & I should add something about lustre. Johnbod (talk) 12:17, 20 June 2020 (UTC)[reply]