Crazing refers to fine crack-like patterns on the surface of a ceramic glaze that occur due to differences in the shrinkage rates of the clay and the glaze after firing.

Ceramics are shaped from clay, coated with glaze, and then fired. The glaze melts during firing and solidifies as it cools, but if there is a difference in the shrinkage rates of the clay and the glaze, fine crack-like patterns form on the surface of the glaze. This is called "crazing."

Crazing occurs depending on the manufacturing method of the ceramic and the properties of the glaze, and is one of the characteristics that can sometimes be seen in older ceramics. There may also be crazing so fine that it cannot be seen with the naked eye.

In our store, we strive to describe the extent and degree of crazing in the product description as much as possible.

We hope you will understand the unique characteristics of antique ceramics and use this information as a reference when making a purchase.