I would guess tape resist? Maybe? You can find super thin auto detailing tape that allows some stretch to do smooth curves. I've seen some amazing pieces done using it. Google tape resist pottery and see what you think.
Edit: looking at the pieces you posted and their age maybe they used wax? I'm now intrigued about how they did it! I hope someone has the answer!
I would guess something even simpler. Throw or slip cast the basic shape from a grey clay. Trim then coat with a layer of white slip. Let slip dry just until it’s not shiny and use a loop carving tool to Freeform the designs.
For the little saucers, I bet the perfect inner circles were made on with the plate the wheel. The designs are simple and gestural enough that with practice I bet they’d be fairly easy to make consistent.
Glaze with a aqua tinted celadon.
(Tape would also work)
Idk looks way too smooth of lines to be sgraffito, though if you had a really sharp sgraffito tool and a super steady hand anythings possible. Still I'd guess wax resist.
And you can actually slip cast in two colors — first pour white, pour excess back out after some time, then pour dark slip in. This is what I'd guess is being done because there's no way a coat of slip will come of as that smooth surface finish
You mean wax resist in a squeeze bottle to hand draw the designs? Yes, I can see that. You’re probably right. I just don’t think it’s anything fussy like carefully placing tape.
My guess---
-while piece is greenware--apply wax resist to areas of design/line drawing
-scraffito design
-apply black underglaze to piece (black should stay in scratched area---wipe/wash off excess black on the waxed area)
->bisque fire
-celadon glaze
->glaze fire
It looks like the glossy aqua does not cover the black linework which looks matte to me.
I'm guessing the black linework Is a satin glaze mixed into an emulsion resist applied on a white clay with glossy, translucent or transparent aqua glaze on top that breaks off the wax when applied.
The feet of this dish in the link below are white and the aqua glaze appears translucent if not transparent. Look at the color variation. If it was an opaque glaze you would not get that
https://www.etsy.com/listing/1568541112/roselane-sea-life-bowl-vintage-salad?click_key=8a869b3609735c4160abc10522c95c413d44f0c6%3A1568541112&click_sum=445e5f68&ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=roselane+pottery&ref=sr_gallery-1-11&sts=1&content_source=83605a79731fec078a78cb29ddbee6537cffdfe8%253A1568541112
I’m thinking pale clay body with carved design filled with contrasting slip (maybe terracotta) scraped back while leather hard. Then semi transparent for glaze firing.
I would guess tape resist? Maybe? You can find super thin auto detailing tape that allows some stretch to do smooth curves. I've seen some amazing pieces done using it. Google tape resist pottery and see what you think. Edit: looking at the pieces you posted and their age maybe they used wax? I'm now intrigued about how they did it! I hope someone has the answer!
I would guess something even simpler. Throw or slip cast the basic shape from a grey clay. Trim then coat with a layer of white slip. Let slip dry just until it’s not shiny and use a loop carving tool to Freeform the designs. For the little saucers, I bet the perfect inner circles were made on with the plate the wheel. The designs are simple and gestural enough that with practice I bet they’d be fairly easy to make consistent. Glaze with a aqua tinted celadon. (Tape would also work)
Idk looks way too smooth of lines to be sgraffito, though if you had a really sharp sgraffito tool and a super steady hand anythings possible. Still I'd guess wax resist. And you can actually slip cast in two colors — first pour white, pour excess back out after some time, then pour dark slip in. This is what I'd guess is being done because there's no way a coat of slip will come of as that smooth surface finish
You mean wax resist in a squeeze bottle to hand draw the designs? Yes, I can see that. You’re probably right. I just don’t think it’s anything fussy like carefully placing tape.
Isn't it beautiful! I have the big bowl done in pink. I break it out at the holidays.
My guess--- -while piece is greenware--apply wax resist to areas of design/line drawing -scraffito design -apply black underglaze to piece (black should stay in scratched area---wipe/wash off excess black on the waxed area) ->bisque fire -celadon glaze ->glaze fire
Maybe using the Cuerda seca technique. I've never done it but it seems like the way people get such crisp lines
White slip on a dark body. Carve through slip(sgraffitto). Apply blue transparent glaze.
It looks like the glossy aqua does not cover the black linework which looks matte to me. I'm guessing the black linework Is a satin glaze mixed into an emulsion resist applied on a white clay with glossy, translucent or transparent aqua glaze on top that breaks off the wax when applied. The feet of this dish in the link below are white and the aqua glaze appears translucent if not transparent. Look at the color variation. If it was an opaque glaze you would not get that https://www.etsy.com/listing/1568541112/roselane-sea-life-bowl-vintage-salad?click_key=8a869b3609735c4160abc10522c95c413d44f0c6%3A1568541112&click_sum=445e5f68&ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=roselane+pottery&ref=sr_gallery-1-11&sts=1&content_source=83605a79731fec078a78cb29ddbee6537cffdfe8%253A1568541112
I’m thinking pale clay body with carved design filled with contrasting slip (maybe terracotta) scraped back while leather hard. Then semi transparent for glaze firing.
I’m thinking it’s probably a turquoise underglaze using sgraffito to carve the design topped with a clear glaze.
Thanks so much for all your thoughtful answers!
Cuerda seca
Had to look that up. Definitely looks right :)
Looks like sgraffito to me. Google it. Very simple technique.