 |
The GPSA Pottery Identification Page This page is intended to help sellers and collectors more accurately identify and describe different types of pottery and decoration.While it may not help you to identify a maker or a date of manufacture, it will, hopefully, put your search on the right track. All of the photographs on this page were generously donated by GPSA members, and if nothing else, show what wonderfully diversified pottery items GPSA sellers offer. |
| We have scoured the internet for quality links pertaining to each subject. If you would like to learn more about some of the pottery pictured here, please click on the "learn more..." links under the photos. | |
| Section #1 - Surface Decoration
|
||||
| Transferware
- Transferware is a method of decoration that dates back to the early 1800's. It is a method whereby the pattern is "transferred" to the object by a piece of paper that carried the design from an engraved copper blank onto the pottery, before the final firing and is an "under glaze" decoration. Most transferware is mono-chromatic, or one color. However, you will find polychromatic - ( multi colored ) examples, such as the one pictured below. |
||||
|
|
An example of
"polychrome", or multi-colored |
|||
 Blue
Willow is probably the most popular and enduring pattern, as
well as the most easily recognized example of transferware. |
||||
 Flow
Blue is a type of transferware that has had chemicals added to
the kiln during it's final glaze firing which cause the transfer decoration
to run or "flow". Learn more about Flow Blue |
Another
very popular motif is the "Blue Onion"
pattern. It too was made in different variations by several factories
- sometimes with hand painted accents.  |
|||
 Moriage
- A method of decoration frequently seen on Nippon that consists of a
clay "slip" or paste applied over the glaze. It is a three dimensional
applied decoration.Learn more about Moriage... |
 |
 |
 Applied
Decoration - A method where the decorations are three dimensional
and added by hand onto the body of the piece, such as this vase.Many pieces such as this vase are attributed to European Makers. |
|
Decal
Decoration - May look like handpainting, but close examination
will reveal the lack of brushstrokes and tiny dot pattern from the printing process. Many times decals are used in combination with hand painted accents or applied decoration. |
|||
| Section #2 - Glaze
Decoration |
Hand Painted
- Note the brush strokes! |
||
| Quite
often the glaze on a piece of pottery is the decoration! Many glazes take
years of research to develop and are passed down from generation to generation.
Some glazes and techniques have been lost and have proven impossible to
duplicate. Below are some common examples of pottery where the glaze was a primary feature of decoration. Learn More About Glazes... |
|||
 Raku
- An ancient Japanese art of adding materials such as straw,
leaves or wood chips to earthenware during firing. Below is a simple example
- many times they are decorated before or after glazing.Learn more about Raku... |
 Lustre
or Luster Ware-Metallic oxide film applied after glazing and
firing to produce pearly "lustrous" finish. |
 Majolica - A tin glazed earthenware noted for it's vibrant colors and three dimensional "all over" decoration Handles, spouts, and feet are almost always an extension of the body decoration, such as the twig handle on this pitcher. .. Learn More About Majolica... |
|
|
Stoneware - Fired at high temperature and is non-porous. The clay vitrifies during firing and does not absorb moisture. This stoneware crock has a Salt Glaze, that is achieved by tossing salt into the kiln during firing. Click on the photo for a close up view of the "orange peel" texture of the salt glaze.
|
|||
 Blended
Glaze - This beautiful 1904 McCoy jardiniere is a great
example of blended glaze decoration! |
 Mottled
Glaze - This is another example of a mottled glaze. |
||
| Sgraffito
- Also called "Slip Ware" is a method of decorating
pottery by cutting a design into a colored "slip" of clay to
reveal the color of the underbody clay. The dark colored decoration on
this pig is not paint. It is the dark redware clay of the body revealed
removing areas of the outer clay, or "slip". |
 Learn More... |
Rockingham
Mottled Glaze - This glaze is generally referred to as Rockingham.
Wares of this type were made by dozens of manufacturers. |
|
| Section
#3 - Other Stuff! |
 Drip
Glaze -
refers to a different colored glaze "dripping" from the rim,
and often has a "feathery" edge.. Click on the photo for a
close up. |
||
 |
Creamware
- A cream-colored earthenware with a transparent lead glaze,
developed in the 18th century. This pottery was refined enough to be
considered a substitute for porcelain, and was produced by numerous
English potters beginning in the mid-18th century. It was decorated
with molded decoration, painted enamels or transfer prints, and its
most successful manufacturer was Josiah Wedgwood, (who marketed his
products as "Queensware").  |
 Bisque
- Unglazed and cold painted like this Hummel figurine or bisque piano
baby.Many antique German Dolls were made of bisque. |
|
| Jasperware
- Noted for it's unglazed texture, it's color achieved by adding metal
oxides to the clay, and the cameo relief decoration. The most popular and often seen color is blue. |
Character
Jugs - are whimsical and collectible pieces often referred to
as Toby Jugs. The most well known were made by Royal Doulton, although
many have been reproduced. Learn More About Character Jugs... |
||
| French Faience - This lug handled porridge bowl is an example of French Faience by Quimper. |
 |
 |
|
|
Where
can I go if I don't know the difference between Bone China and Earthenware? |
|||
