Crazing In Fine China: What Is It, What Causes It, And What Can You Do About It

By Author: porcelain restoration
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First produced at a time when the arts and culture of China’s Tang dynasty (618-907) thrived, fine china is made by firing a certain type of white clay called kaolin. For many centuries now, these ceramic pieces have captivated consumers with their smooth, white, and lustrous look. As fragile as their manufacturing process, these should also be handled with utmost care. And if issues like crazing are found, it’s important to call an expert in china restoration for professional help.

In this article, you’ll particularly read about crazing, its causes, and its solution.

What Is Crazing And Its Causes

Crazing refers to the condition wherein the surface of pottery develops a network of tiny cracks. While it affects the aesthetics and is considered more of a surface blemish, it can make a piece’s durability decrease when not addressed through professional porcelain restoration.

In some instances, owners intentionally leave crazing unresolved for aesthetic reasons. However, this is not recommended especially if what’s affected is functional ceramics like fine china. Not only can it weaken the ...
... piece’s integrity over time — but there’s also this health concern about pathogens growing in the cracks.

So what causes this web of cracks to appear on pieces like fine china?

Crazing can happen as a result of a firing defect. During the manufacturing process, the following factors can affect the condition of the main body of the ceramic piece:

The glaze’s composition and thickness (the glaze is an impermeable coating or layer infused into a pottery body by subjecting them to a high temperature)

The firing temperature

The rate of cooling of the materials (body and glaze) are not the same, i.e. The glaze shrinks more than the body, causing stress to the body

Even if crazing doesn’t happen during or immediately after the firing process, it can still occur over the course of its lifespan. According to fine china restoration experts, these are the top causes:

Extreme temperature and humidity fluctuations

Being moved around and bumped into other objects

Moisture damage

How To Address Crazing In Fine China

Certain measures can be done to prevent crazing from happening during the firing process itself (e.g. Changing the composition of the glaze or clay, avoiding over- or under-firing the ware). But how do you address it when your fine china begins to develop fine cracks while it’s in your possession?

Keep in mind that crazing as a process per se can’t be halted. But the stains that can set into the cracks — giving your ware an aged appearance — can still be addressed. Fine china owners typically use a solution of oxygen bleach (the one used for laundry) and hot water. After waiting for the solution to cool down, it is then applied to the surface and let it be absorbed for 5 to 30 minutes (depending on the scale of the crazing). Then, the stained ware will remain soaked in the solution until the stains are removed.

But as DIY china and porcelain restoration are not guaranteed to succeed 100%, it’s more advisable to entrust your treasured ware to the hands of experts in this field.