Crystalline Ceramics

Pale Green/Tan Glaze in Closeup

Background

This glaze goes back to a series of tests that I did in the year 2009, the glaze test numbers were 3424 to 3428. It is one of the most sensitive of my crystalline glazes. Very small changes in the raw materials, the firing schedule and the composition of the body upon which it is used, can have a marked effect on the fired result. The latest variation, shown in detail here, has glaze number 7815.

Characteristics

The primary crystal colour varies from emerald green to pale blue with growth rings tending towards iron red. Seconday development is complex featuring a prominent dusting of very small dark brown crystals.

Detail showing one of the ‘fern type’ of crystal with fivefold symmetry, quite rare in this glaze. Also shown is the primary fringe and secondary development in the gorund.
Detail showing the primary nucleus. In the top left is a very unusual form of secondary crystal.
Detail of the primary nucleus.
Extreme closeup of the primary nucleus.
A very unusual secondary crystal, much larger than usual.
An extreme closeup showing the primary fringe and details of the secondary crystals.
Test pieces from 2009 and the starting point for developing this glaze.