Agateware
Agateware a l'é unna tecnica de decoraçion de porçellaña donde e tære de cô despægi son combinæ e mescciæ pe creâ di modelli de marmo che s'assomeggian a-a pria d'agata natuâ. I modelli se forman drento o mæximo còrpo de tæra rossa ciù fito che applicæ a-o de d'ato.
Inte sta tecnica chì, i vasai inandian di còrpi de tæra rossa tiæ con di despægi pigmenti mineræ ò coî de tæra rossa natuæ. Ste tære rosse chì en stratificæ, storte, arrepiegæ, ò mescciæ de lengê insemme avanti che a tæra rossa a segge modellâ inte di vaxi ò di atri oggetti. Quande a tæra rossa a ven taggiâ, stiâ, ò tiâ in sciâ reua, i modelli de drento vëgnan vixibili in sciô de d'ato.
The resulting marbled designs may resemble flowing bands, swirls, or irregular streaks of color. Because the pattern extends throughout the clay body, the decorative effect remains visible even after trimming or shaping.
Agateware techniques have been used in several ceramic traditions and became particularly well known in European ceramics during the 18th century. Similar patterned-clay methods also appear in other ceramic traditions and are conceptually related to techniques such as Nerikomi.
After shaping, agateware pieces are typically finished with a transparent glaze that highlights the natural marbled patterns of the clay.
