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A brief history and background of painting
on porcelain and glass |
The art of painting porcelain was
developed over 2000 years ago. The western world was unable to duplicate the
technology needed to produce fine white porcelain. in 1748 a chemist
in Austria was the first to prefect the skill needed. His efforts
soon became the Nissan porcelain works outside of Dresden.
The artist painstakingly paints the design several times to
arrive at the depth and detail desired. Each layer of painting is followed by firing in a
kiln at about 1400 degrees. After firing the piece is sanded to remove any excess
paint or other impurities. Most pieces are painted and fired 3 or 4 times, many elaborate
items may be fired as many as 25 or thirty times. |
| This makes the painting part of the
glaze and permanently adheres it to the china, porcelain, or glass. The pieces are then
washable (even in the dishwasher) and microwave safe in most cases (as long as no gold has
been applied.) When you see gold decorating on a porcelain piece it is real gold that
has been fired on to the porcelain. |
| In the western world this art form
reached its peak during the Victorian Era primarily because the only art forms available
and acceptable for women were needlework and china painting. Boat loads of white porcelain
and china would arrive in the New World from Europe and the Orient at which time ladies
would pick a pattern and start to work often times using the same kiln that made the
bricks for their homes. Lighting was a primary importance. Until the time most people
lived on a sun-up to sun-down time table. Oil lamps were necessary for work beyond dusk,
and painting them made them pieces of art. |
| Several things led to the
demise of this type of art. The great depression was followed by World War II.
Most of the porcelain and glass factories in Europe were bombed out of existence
and the few in America converted to serving the war effort. By the time most of the world
recovered there was a new invention "Plastics". The need for mass produced
consumer goods made it impossible for this ancient art form to compete with large assembly
lines using decals and automation on these new plastic items. |
| This ancient process is perhaps one of
the most enduring of all artistic mediums and should be treasured as you would an antique
heirloom or any piece of fine art. There are very few artists working in this
medium. We hope you enjoy the examples you will see here at Victorian Reflections. |
| Thanks, Patricia Whitchurch |
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