Glasierte

Glasierte is a German term that describes objects whose surfaces have been coated with glaze, a glassy layer formed by firing a glaze onto a ceramic body. The glaze provides a decorative finish as well as functional properties, such as water resistance and increased durability.

A glaze is a vitreous coating made from a mixture of silica, fluxes, and other materials, often including colorants. It is applied to the ceramic surface by dipping, brushing, or spraying, and then fired to a temperature appropriate for the type of ceramic. During firing, the glaze melts and bonds to the surface, creating a hard, often waterproof layer that can be transparent, translucent, or opaque.

Glazes vary in finish and hue. Transparent glazes highlight underlying decoration, while opaque glazes (including tin glazes) provide a solid background color. Colorants such as cobalt, copper, or manganese yield blues, greens, reds, and other tones. Glazes can be glossy or matte, and artists use underglaze and overglaze techniques to achieve different visual effects.

In modern production, glasierte wares are common in tableware, tiles, and sanitary ceramics. Safety regulations have led to the phase-out of lead-containing glazes in most contexts; contemporary glazes are typically lead-free and designed to satisfy food-contact and environmental standards.

Historically, glaze technologies originated in ancient China and spread to the Islamic world and Europe. Tin glazing, faience, and Delftware are notable European traditions that relied on glazed surfaces to achieve distinctive white backgrounds or colorful patterns. The term glasierte is used in German-speaking contexts to distinguish glazed ceramics from unglazed surfaces.