saltglazed

Saltglazed describes a ceramic surface created when a hot vessel is exposed to salt vapor during firing. In traditional salt glazing, rock salt is introduced into a kiln at high temperatures, roughly 900–1100°C (cone 9–10). The salt decomposes and the sodium reacts with silica in the clay body to form a thin glassy glaze on the surface. The resulting texture is often distinctive and can range from smooth to an orange-peel finish.

Historically, saltglazed ware is associated with European stoneware, especially in the Rhineland and German pottery centers, and later with English Staffordshire wares in the 17th and 18th centuries. The technique spread to other regions, where it became valued for durable, utilitarian pieces. In modern practice, salt glazing is sometimes reproduced in studio settings or used for decorative effects on stoneware, though many contemporary potters select alternative atmospheres such as soda firing or gas-jet alterations for different textures and colors.

Characteristics of saltglazed surfaces include a glassy, sometimes matte-looking film with a characteristic coarse texture. The color tends to be earthy—creams, beiges, browns—with variation caused by the clay body, firing conditions, and glaze thickness. The glaze is relatively durable but can be somewhat porous and more prone to staining than typical fully vitrified glazes. Saltglazed ware remains notable for its tactile surface and historical association with traditional English and European stoneware.

Modern considerations include safety concerns from salt vapor and chlorine release during firing, necessitating proper ventilation and kiln design.