Years ago, I picked up a rough hagi-like cup. Instead of clay, it appeared to have a porcelain base, because you could see the smooth surface peaking through in a couple of spots from under the glaze.
I didn't really think much about it until I saw this kyuusu on eBay.
For posterity's sake, I'll include a short description of the kyuusu. It appears to be a porcelain (kutani) kyuusu that was "dipped" in an opaque sandy-brown glaze or overcoat of some sort. The porcelain peeks through this glaze in several spots, which appear deliberate (lining up with images on the kyuusu, such as people, or the kutani symbol).
Does anybody know anything about the preparation technique? (that is, was it painted, then covered just in key areas, or was it completely covered, worn away and then painted, or...?)
Does anybody know anything further about this style? I don't see it too often.
Re: Porcelain w/ an overcoat
It looks as if the areas of blue painted glaze were covered over with something (wax?) to resist the subsequent dipping into either a slip or other glaze to give this effect. This one's not very appealing.
Re: Porcelain w/ an overcoat
Hopefully John can weigh in, but I think you guys have the orders of things backwards. Porcelain is nothing more than a clay body. What most people come to call porcelain is a very specific pairing of the clay body and corresponding glaze. What this kyusu appears to be to my eyes, is either glazed selectively or mostly covered in wax resist and only glazed in the remaining areas. I dare say at least with the kyusu what you are seeing is not a glaze, but in fact is the porcelain body darkened with use itself/ or intentionally aged.
Again this may all be hogwash, but very few opaque glazes, including slips would show the signs of the throwing of the piece so easily. Looking at the pictures of the kyusu you can see tool marks, and rings from the throwing of the piece. But at the same time, I do agree this is not an attractive effect, not to mention the blue figures/ pictures look quite questionable.
Again this may all be hogwash, but very few opaque glazes, including slips would show the signs of the throwing of the piece so easily. Looking at the pictures of the kyusu you can see tool marks, and rings from the throwing of the piece. But at the same time, I do agree this is not an attractive effect, not to mention the blue figures/ pictures look quite questionable.
Sep 23rd, '13, 09:27
Posts: 445
Joined: Mar 25th, '13, 23:03
Location: Lexington Park, Maryland
Re: Porcelain w/ an overcoat
That is hideous. I can't even gather what they were trying to aim for with that technique...
M.
M.