Chinese Glazes

The essential guide to the development of Chinese glazes from the Bronze Age to the present day.

Traces the development of Chinese glazes from the Bronze Age to the
present day. It describes how these glazes were made, and how they
evolved over some 3000 years of continuous production. The author shows
how their superb qualities can be reproduced with common Western raw
materials.

Unlock the secrets of China’s most celebrated ceramic glazes, and learn how to recreate them today.

For centuries, Chinese glazes have captivated artists and collectors with colours compared to jade, tea-dust, hare’s fur, and even the 'colour of the sky after rain'. Some dazzle with brilliance; others shift subtly with changing light. This book reveals the artistry, science, and history behind these extraordinary surfaces.

Nigel Wood traces the evolution of Chinese glaze traditions from the Bronze Age through the iconic Song dynasty stonewares to the refined porcelain glazes of southern China. Alongside this historical journey, readers will find hundreds of authentic glaze recipes adapted for Western materials, practical blending and calculation techniques, and insights from kiln-site research and conferences in China.

Lavishly illustrated photographs taken at historic kiln sites, Chinese Glazes is both a definitive reference and a hands-on guide. Whether you’re a ceramic artist seeking to replicate classic glazes or a reader fascinated by the story of Chinese ceramics, this book opens a window onto one of the most influential traditions in ceramic history.