Blue Crackle Glaze inside a Ceramic Bowl

Potters in Song dynasty China turned crackle from a fault into something collectors prized. On the famous Ge ware, the fine web of lines is said to have been darkened with ink or tea so it would stand out. A crackle glaze straight out of the kiln can often be heard pinging softly as new lines open while it cools. Here the lines run all through the pale and deep blues inside a handmade bowl with a toasted brown rim, a crackle glaze jigsaw puzzle drawn by the kiln itself.