Nautilus Shell Bowl

The mottled, iridescent and metallic surfaces of the objects in this case are achieved by dissolving powdered platinum and gold in acid, which is combined with resin or an oily medium to create a glaze that is painted onto ceramic wares. The oil or resin burns away in the firing process leaving a film of pure metal bonded to the surface. Originating in the Middle East in the eighth century, the use of lustreware was revived in England by Josiah Wedgwood in the 1760s as he searched for a process to gild and silver ceramics that was cost effective and durable. The thin metallic film left by the lustreware process allowed large areas to be covered with only a very small amount of precious metal.