Hairlines, Glazelines and Cracks
Age signs like hairlines, glazelines, and cracks are indicators of a genuine antique. Like any piece of art, they all go through different processes and tend to acquire wear and tear.
Although making antiques is where most defects appear, these may occur weeks or years after their production. Since they use high temperatures to mold its shape, the cooling process becomes the most delicate. This is where the tension between the material is created.
It then results in fine lines and small cracks that can be seen with the lens at every angle. With these signs, buyers can check the age of any antiques, whether they are old or recently made.
Kinds of Hairlines, Glazelines, and Cracks
Hairlines, glazelines, and cracks may occur naturally or not. By knowing what these cracks and lines are, one may identify a natural occurrence from not. Intentional damage is different from one coming from wear and tear.
Spider Cracks
As the name goes, these cracks look like a spider web. Having more than two endpoints, these are often seen at the base. Sometimes they can appear in some parts of the body.
These may surface after cooling or during a temperature change when the piece is moved to a different area.
Hairlines or Cracks
When trying to piece shards together, potters find that two or more pieces do not fit completely. This is because present tension was already released when the item was broken. It caused a minute change in the shard’s breakage line in.
This type of crack is a result of a natural release of tension within the material. Though pieces don’t actually break apart, this crack appears on any part of the body.
Most hairline cracks are visible inside a piece. Without its designs, the lines are more visible under light or black light. So, shining a bright light or putting a piece under black light can better help see them.
Colorfully decorated items can camouflage or hide some of these cracks. The best way to determine if a piece is cracked or broken is to place it on a flat surface. Then, tap it lightly.
If you hear a light ring sound, the piece is fine or is in good condition. If it sounds more like a dull thud when tapped, there’s likely a crack in the porcelain. Always ask for assistance to examine the item more closely.
Additionally, discolored cracked lines of the porcelain turn yellowish-brown – another sign of aging. However, these lines can be artificially created by imitators, so be cautious before trusting them as a sign of aging.
Glazelines or Crazings
Some pieces appear to have their entire surface cracked. Most often, this is intentional. Some potters mastered the art of crazing, which is another term for surface cracks.
These are lines or cracks on the fired surface layer and often just at the glaze. It occurs when a glaze is.
A craze pattern can immediately form right after it is removed from the kiln or fire. Or, it can develop years later.
Crazing translates to fine cracks in the surface of porcelain. It is due to unequal expansion and contraction of the body and unequal distribution of the glaze.
When applying a glaze on porcelain, the glaze will help seal the piece. This way, it will make it stain-resistant and safe for food.
However, when craze lines are formed, they harbor bacteria that may stay in between the lines. Therefore, dinnerware shouldn’t have any crazing at all.
Improper storage of pieces can make it worse, especially in extreme temperatures. Places such as the attic or basement could bring the temperature too low and cause the glaze to break.
Rim and Base Cracks
Aside from hairlines, glazelines, and cracks, there are also rim and base cracks. These cracks are the easiest to notice since they can be visibly seen in the rim or base of porcelain.
Running your fingers through them will help one to find hidden damages. Most often, transport and mishandling are the common causes of these rim and base chips.
Wear and Tears
Talk about ancient porcelain made hundreds of years ago. There is a high probability that some cracks can come from normal wear and tear from many years of usage.
Some antique pieces can even appear as if the entire surface is cracked in all directions. Either the glaze was exposed to extreme weather conditions, or the piece was moved from one climate to another.
Of course, the handling and transfer of these pieces may cause more damage if not protected. Besides temperature and climate, human errors must all be accounted for as well.
In some cases, ceramic items are often knocked over due to an external force. A chip may be visible at the rim with a line running from it. Experts must have the capacity to identify what has naturally occurred from human mistakes.
Remember, imitators may even try to purposely make it look like it came from ancient times. But instead, they are doing more damage