Overglaze, often referred to as on-glaze, is a method used in ceramics beginning in ancient Japan centuries ago, almost as long as glazing has been around. Commonly these are low temperature glazes that can be quickly fired and used in layers over other finishes.
Throughout the history of pottery the use of glaze has been adopted by virtually every culture as a way of giving their ceramics a more polished and finished look. The Asian culture may have given overglaze its start but European and American ceramic makers have added to the versatility of the method through experimentation with various colors, metals, and enamel materials.
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Overglaze has two main purposes to its application, either to give a piece a glassy, polished look and/or to add a decoration to the piece. Sometimes several layers of over glaze are added to a single item of pottery, especially when added complex designs and colors.
Each layer of over glaze must be fired and cooled before another layer before another layer can be added. The most popular overglaze material is enamel although metal (as in gold leaf) is occasionally used for effect. Beautiful decorative patterns can be created and colored through the use of overglaze.
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