In-glaze decoration

In-glaze or inglaze is a method of decorating pottery, where the materials used allow painted decoration to be applied on the surface of the glaze before the glost firing so that it fuses into the glaze in the course of firing.

[1][2] It contrasts with the other main methods of adding painted colours to pottery.

As with underglaze, in-glaze requires pigments that can withstand the high temperatures of the main firing without discolouring.

[3] The very wide range of types of European tin-glazed earthenware or "faience" all began using in-glaze or underglaze painting, with overglaze enamels only developing in the 18th century.

[4] Most styles in this group, such as Delftware, mostly used blue and white pottery decoration, but Italian maiolica was fully polychrome, using the range of in- and underglaze colours available.