Colored Glaze Knowledge
In old days of China, glassware is generally called colored glaze. It¡¯s a kind of material that could be dated back from 3000 years ago, which was only used by regius people. Colored glaze is regarded as one of the most famous ware of China, as well as the treasure of Buddhism.
Nowadays, we take colored glaze as an auspicious material that would bring good luck, for both health and wealth.
Colored glaze can be defined as lot of crystal glass. It presents color when rare metal is melted under high temperature. It is reflected well under light, brilliant and but pure, with the intensity of colors and the myriad subtle shades. When passion or connotation is brought into every product, it comes a life with its singularity.
Colored glaze is distinguished from glass by the following characters:
1. For the melt of rare metal, colored glaze has the flamboyant and fluid color, showing its elegant and graceful taste.
2. When knock colored glaze, it sounds like metal for containing higher percentage of metal.
3. Crystal glass. Glass material adding oxide is called crystal glass. The percentage of oxide varies from countries and custom. Generally it presents best when oxide is higher than 24%, and it will be more suitable for making refined glass craft. In western countries, the so-called crystal ware is made as this, which values much higher than common glass.
What is lost-wax in colored glaze production?
It is one kind of production method of colored glaze. First heat up colored glaze material to fluid, let it flow to the prepared mould. The mould is made after wax mould melted, so this is called lost-wax. Lost-wax usually adapt artificial crystal as raw material.
Why do colored glaze works vary so much in color of similar works?
This is a distinctive feature of the colored glaze works. Since each work is made by hand, because different amounts of pigment may be added, and because of the inherent variability of the firing process, each work acquires its own unique personality. The plus side is that collectors may select works that suit their own personal preferences.
How does colored glaze come its flamboyant colour?
The flamboyant colour of colored glaze is the showing of its peculiar character and mastery to it of producer. The addition of various metal oxides can affect the color of glass. For example, the unique green color of 16th century European forest glass comes from its iron oxide content. The addition of copper oxide turns glass bluish-green, cobalt oxide imparts a blue color, and manganese oxide imparts violet. The color that results from adding a certain metal oxide may vary depending upon the type of glas
s.
Colored glaze is re-formed by original crystal pieces, which affect the colored glaze works colour. When heated up, the pieces melt and flow, but different colour won¡¯t be changed, just mix and blend together. So it comes the flamboyance and fluidity of colored glaze singulairy.
Why does colored glaze contain bubbles?
Because ordinary mass production colored glaze is usually melted at a temperature of 1,300~1,400¡ãC, air tends to float to the surface and escape. There are consequently relatively few bubbles. But since colored glaze is usually heated only to 850¡ãC when art is made, at which point colored glaze still flows slowly, air between the original crystal pieces cannot rise to the surface, and forms bubbles instead. Artists often take advantage of the bubbles to reveal the texture of colored glaze, and they are one thing to look for when appreciating colored glaze works. European artists say ¡°bubble is the breath of colored glaze¡±.
Colored Glaze Maintenance
1.Do not collide or scrape to avoid surface scar.
2.Keep in ordinary temperature. Do not keep under humid or high temperature. Do not heat or cool without professional instruction.
3.If put on smooth surface, mat or cushion should be placed.
4.Polish by pure water. Keep colored glaze surface shinny and clean.
5.Avoids with contact of sulfur gas, chlorine to avoid chemical change.
Colored Glaze Connoisseur
1.The combination effect of shade and light, especially the reflection of different thickness form each point of view.
2.The fluidity of the flamboyant colour, appreciate the natural breath of colored glaze.
3.The purity and clearness of single colour works, and the colour blend and flow that bring work to life.
4.A perfect work should be link both shade and shinny, pure but not transparent.
5.Experience the artistic conception brought by the work idea, colour and shape.
6.Discover the folk nature that contained by works.
7.There is no exact the same colored glaze works, so enjoy different beauty of the same item.
Colored Glaze Query
Is light necessary for better display of colored glaze works?
Because of the character of colored glaze, light is in need for better display. But it depends on the shape, colour and circumstance. Generally, a simple line work don¡¯t need strong light, but a refined work should have.
What is polyresin liuli? What is the difference between them?
Polyresin liuli is actually clear polyresin, just adding some pigment. It is very cheap, and very easy in production, and convenient for mass production. The difference between liuli and water polyresin liuli is as follows:
1.Clear resin has low refractive index, so it lacks the sense of reality which crystal glass expresses.
2.Polyresin liuli is weighs only 30% of real liuli.
3.Polyresin is easy to be aged, the color will change in years.