The luster of ancient porcelain is one of the important features for identifying and appreciating porcelain. Different types of porcelain can show different gloss effects. Here are some common types of patina found on ancient porcelain:
1. Bright Glaze: This kind of luster is manifested as a glaze surface that is smooth, bright, transparent, and can clearly reflect light. Bright luster is usually associated with porcelain fired at high temperatures, such as blue and white porcelain and official kiln porcelain.
2. Semi-Bright Glaze: Semi-Bright glaze is relatively soft and not as obvious as bright gloss. This luster is often associated with low-temperature or reduction-fired porcelain, such as Ru kiln porcelain.
3. Persimmon Peel Glaze: This gloss has a slightly rough texture, a bit like the sheen of persimmon skin, hence its name. Persimmon skin luster is commonly seen on early Chinese porcelain, which may have been produced using more primitive techniques.
4. Oil Droplet Glaze: This gloss appears as tiny oil droplet-like flecks on the glaze that look like oil droplets on the glaze. This effect is often produced by subtle changes in glaze composition and temperature control.
5. Matte Glaze: Matte Glaze is a matte or very weak sheen that makes the porcelain glaze look very smooth but has no obvious reflections. This gloss is often used in modern and contemporary porcelain to create a gentle touch.
6. Crazing: This unique phenomenon is associated with the gloss of the glaze and appears as a web-like pattern of fine cracks on the surface.
Glaze patterns featuring dragons and phoenixes are often found on ancient porcelain. The difference in expansion coefficients between the glaze and the porcelain matrix leads to the formation of cracks when subjected to temperature changes.
The porcelain body usually also has a certain luster. High-quality porcelain bodies are smooth and uniform without cracks or bubbles, reflecting the quality and workmanship of the porcelain.
The color and texture of the porcelain body can also affect the appearance of luster. For example, the body color of blue and white porcelain is usually white, while the body color of Chinese Ru kiln porcelain is gray-white or gray-green.
Gloss can also be used to determine the age of ancient porcelain. With the passage of history, the production process and technology have gradually improved, so the luster of porcelain in different periods also varies.
The preservation state of porcelain has an important impact on the luster. If ancient porcelain is exposed to moisture or direct sunlight for a long time, it may cause corrosion and damage to the glaze, thus affecting the quality of the gloss. Therefore, suitable storage conditions are very important to maintain the luster of ancient porcelain.
Sometimes, ancient porcelain may be damaged and require restoration. Porcelain restorers often work to restore the original luster so that the restored porcelain looks more natural.
In short, the luster of ancient porcelain is a complex subject that involves many aspects of the porcelain, including production technology, age characteristics, and preservation status. By carefully observing the luster, porcelain connoisseurs can gain important information about the history and quality of the porcelain.
It should be noted that the gloss may be affected by various factors such as the manufacturing process of the porcelain, glaze composition, firing temperature, glaze treatment, etc.
Therefore, when appreciating ancient porcelain, observing and understanding the different types of luster can help you better understand the history, quality, and value of the porcelain.