A glaze formulated to shrink more than the underlying clay body during cooling, resulting in a deliberate, uniform network of fine fractures. The effect is often highlighted by rubbing ink or stain into the cracks after firing. Unlike crazing, which is a structural defect, a crackle finish is a controlled aesthetic choice.
Heard on the job
Rub some black India ink into the crackle to make the pattern pop against the white glaze.
Also heard as
- crackle glaze
- Truité
Do not mix it up with
- Craze: Crackle is an intentional, decorative glaze effect, whereas crazing is an accidental and often detrimental defect caused by poor glaze fit.