Smaltsning

Smaltsning is a decorative technique originating from the Netherlands, specifically associated with the painting of Delftware pottery. It involves the application of a tin glaze, often referred to as "smalt," to earthenware. This glaze, when fired, produces a white, opaque, and slightly bluish surface that serves as an excellent base for painted decoration.

The characteristic blue and white patterns seen on traditional Delftware are achieved by painting with cobalt oxide pigments directly onto this unfired smalt glaze. Cobalt oxide fires to a brilliant blue, a color that was highly prized and difficult to achieve with other pigments at the time. The unfired glaze allows the pigment to spread and bleed slightly, creating a soft, diffused look that is a hallmark of the style.

Smaltsning was particularly popular during the Dutch Golden Age, with Delft becoming a major center for its production. The technique allowed for the imitation of expensive Chinese porcelain, making decorative ceramics more accessible to a wider audience. While associated with Delft, similar decorative processes using tin glazes were employed in other European ceramic traditions, though the specific blue and white aesthetic is most strongly linked to the Dutch. The process requires careful control of glaze composition and firing temperatures to achieve the desired opaque white surface and the vibrant blue decoration.