Posted By: Tim
Posted Date: Jan 18, 2016 (10:35 AM)
I have only handled a few Minyao blue and white porcelains from before the 17th c., and seeing photos or visiting museums without being able to hold/inspect a piece up close makes answering my question very difficult. Please help if you can. Thanks.
If I understand correctly, irregular bubbles in the clear slip is generally a sign of porcelain fired in a wood kiln, that the variations in temperature causes the bubbles to form in different sizes.
I also understand that many times the cobalt blue 'explodes' through the slip.
Finally, I understand that the irons in paste of Ming porcelains oxides orange.
My question is: Can you expect to see iron oxidization in the areas where the cobalt has come through the slip, or only on the unglazed foot?
I bought this piece (a tureen) strictly for its decorative elements and I suspect it is modern. However, the design, slip and glaze seem to be done in a convincingly traditional manner.
However, on every surface where the slip has retracted and on the unglazed foot/bottom, there is orange oxidation. It seems very deliberate, but I cannot understand why the artist who must have taken a lot time to make a very traditional and beautiful tureen, would tarnish an otherwise convincing with orange dirt just to make it look old.
If anyone has a good explanation or theory, I'd like to hear it.
Also, are modern potters now using higher quality cobalt and using wood kilns to create more realistic fakes?
Sorry for not posting photos of the whole piece...just want to focus on the glaze and orange 'dirt' first....I'll post more photos as needed or requested.
Thanks.
Tim
| Note that we are now reviewing postings before posting due to the large volume of SPAM and inappropriate postings on the forum. The validation process may take up to 12 hours. |