Underglaze ornament entails making use of coloration to ceramic ware in its uncooked, porous state earlier than the preliminary firing (bisque firing). This system makes use of varied colorants, together with oxides, carbonates, and ready stains, blended with a medium to facilitate software. For instance, a cobalt-based combination might be brushed onto unfired pottery to attain a wealthy blue hue after glazing and firing.
This technique permits deep coloration saturation and integration with the clay physique. As a result of the unfired clay is absorbent, the colour turns into an integral a part of the piece, leading to vibrant and sturdy ornament. Traditionally, underglaze strategies have been employed in numerous ceramic traditions worldwide, contributing to the aesthetic richness of pottery from historic instances to the current day. This elementary strategy permits for a variety of ornamental potentialities, from easy traces and washes to intricate designs.