Ash glazing/af

Asglasuur is 'n keramiekglasuurtegniek waarin houtas as 'n primêre komponent van die glasuur gebruik word. Die metode is wyd gebruik in Oos-Asiatiese keramiek en het 'n belangrike rol gespeel in die ontwikkeling van tradisionele Japannese erdewerk.

Houtas bevat minerale soos kalsium, kalium en silika wat by hoë temperature kan smelt om 'n glasagtige oppervlak op keramiekvate te vorm. Pottebakkers kan asglasuur voorberei deur as van gebrande hout te versamel, dit te was en te sif, en dit met klei of ander glasuurbestanddele te meng voordat dit op die pottebakkery aangewend word.

In wood-fired kilns, ash glazing can also occur naturally. During long firing cycles, ash carried by the flames settles on the surfaces of the pottery. When the kiln reaches high temperatures, this ash melts and forms natural glaze deposits. These effects are especially characteristic of traditional firing methods such as Wood firing, particularly in anagama kilns.

Ash glazes often produce soft green, brown, or amber tones and can create textured or flowing surfaces depending on how the glaze melts during firing. The results are influenced by many factors, including the composition of the ash, the firing temperature, and the position of the pottery inside the kiln.

Ash glazing has historically been associated with several Japanese ceramic traditions, including Shigaraki ware, Iga ware, Tamba ware, and certain wood-fired works related to Bizen ware.

See also

• Wood firing
• Anagama firing
• Noborigama firing