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Enamelling:
We have
already said that majolica is made of coloured, porous clay.
Majolica, however, differs from the common Terracotta in the fact
that a vitrified coating is applied to it. A coating may be a simple
ceramic glaze, a slip or an enamel: Terracotta becomes Majolica when
an ENAMEL coating is
applied to it.
Enamel is a
vitreous composite, essentially consisting of three components:
vitrifier, flux and stabiliser. The enamel usually used for majolica
is lead-based. The result is a glassy layer on a piece of Terracotta
which allows the craftsman to apply decoration on the glassy surface,
which is generally white in colour. The enamelling of majolica is
done by dipping the biscuit-fired in a bath of enamel, after which
the retouching necessary for artistic production is carried out; the
product is then ready for decoration.
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