Famous Glaze Styles of Vietnamese Ceramics

Over thousands of years of history, Vietnamese ceramics have developed a variety of glazing techniques, each with its own beauty and value, contributing to creating a unique identity for the national pottery profession. Each type of glazing contains its own stories, cultural and historical values. Let's take a look at some glaze styles of Vietnamese ceramics through this article!

What is ceramic glaze?

Ceramic glaze is a thin glass coating, usually 0.15 to 0.4mm thick, that is applied to the surface of ceramic products before firing. After firing at high temperatures, the glaze melts and forms a protective and decorative shell for ceramic products.

Glazed ceramics have a beauty that is both luxurious and rustic

Ingredients of ceramic glaze

The specific ratio of each ingredient in ceramic glaze will depend on the type of glaze, desired features, and manufacturing process. Adjusting this ratio will affect the properties of enamel such as melting temperature, gloss, smoothness, hardness, durability, chemical resistance,...

Depending on the ratio of substances in ceramic glaze, it will bring different characteristics

Silicon oxide (SiO2): The main component of ceramic glaze, accounting for 60% to 80%. SiO2 creates the basic network framework for enamel, determining the hardness, durability and heat resistance of enamel.

Aluminum oxide (Al2O3): Provides hardness, toughness and chemical resistance to enamel.

Sulfur oxide (SO3): Helps lower the melting temperature of enamel, increasing the gloss and smoothness of the enamel surface.

Alkaline oxide (Na2O, K2O): Helps lower the melting temperature of enamel, increasing the gloss and smoothness of the enamel surface.

Alkaline earth oxides (CaO, MgO, BaO): Increases mechanical strength and chemical resistance for enamel.

Lead oxide (PbO): Helps lower the melting temperature of enamel, increasing the gloss and smoothness of the enamel surface, but is rarely used due to its toxicity.

Coloring agent: Metal oxides such as Fe2O3 (reddish brown), CoO (blue), CuO (green), Cr2O3 (green - purple),...

Antiseptic: This substance helps remove impurities and bubbles in enamel, creating a smooth and shiny enamel surface.

Turbidity: This substance helps create turbidity for enamel, such as Ca3PO4 (calcium phosphate).

You can look more at: How Does The Patterns on Vietnamese Ceramics Reflect about Vietnamese Culture?

What are the benefits of ceramic glaze?

Ceramic glaze plays an important role in determining the quality and aesthetics of the product. It brings many benefits to ceramics such as:

Increase durability: Ceramic enamel helps seal small holes on the ceramic bone surface, preventing the penetration of water and dirt, thereby increasing the durability of the product.

Increase aesthetics: Ceramic glaze creates a smooth, shiny surface and can be mixed with diverse colors and patterns, making ceramic products more beautiful and luxurious.

Improved usability: Ceramic glaze makes the surface of ceramic products easy to clean and hygienic, and also has better heat, acid and chemical resistance, helping the product to last longer.

Ceramic glaze makes the surface of ceramic products easy to clean and sanitize

Types of Vietnamese ceramic enamelling

One of the factors contributing to that unique beauty is the ceramic glaze styles, giving each ceramic product a unique appearance and value. Let's take a look at some outstanding glazed ceramics samples below!

Brown glaze

Brown glaze is one of the most popular types of ceramic glaze in the history of Vietnamese ceramics, appearing very early and widely used in many traditional craft villages.

Brown enamel is made up of a mixture of natural mineral ingredients, mainly iron oxide, manganese oxide and coal ash, fired at high temperatures.

Brown glaze

Cracked enamel

Bat Trang embossed cracked enamel is created from intentional "cracking", stemming from the difference in shrinkage between the enamel layer and the ceramic bone during the firing process.

This paradox creates a unique beauty that cannot be mixed with any other type of yeast.

Cracked glaze

The main raw materials for embossed crackle glaze are agar rock and limestone, finely ground and covered over the entire product surface. Then, the product is fired at high temperatures from 1100 to 1200 degrees Celsius.

When it cools, the difference in shrinkage between the enamel and the ceramic bone causes the enamel layer to crack, forming characteristic "cracks".

White glaze

White enamel is commonly used in ceramic products, from dish sets, teapots, vases to unique works of art.

It is rarely used for decorative painting but is often covered over the entire surface of the product, creating the perfect background to show off delicate lines and elaborate patterns.

White glaze

White enamel is made up of a mixture of natural mineral materials such as quartz, clay, agarite, lime, soda, etc. These materials are finely ground, mixed well in certain proportions and fired at high temperature. height.

This firing process helps remove impurities and creates a smooth, beautiful white glaze.

Emerald glaze

Unlike other types of enamel, celadon is mixed from FeO and Fe2+, capable of partially reducing Fe, creating a unique green color. The color of celadon is not fixed, but varies depending on the mixing ratio and firing technique.

Therefore, before coating the product with enamel, the artisan needs to create celadon pigment in advance, ensuring the desired blue color is achieved.

Emerald glaze

Conclusion

Above are some sharings revolving around the topic of enameling styles of Vietnamese ceramics. Not only is it a profession spanning through historical ups and downs, ceramics also vividly reflects the development of our country. To be able to choose to buy quality ceramic products from famous brands, please visit the official website of CHUS!