Antique Chinese and Japanese Porcelain collector's help and info page

GLOSSARY

Graviata

Anhua, secret or hidden decoration

Graviata decoration on an early 20th century wine cup, height 2,5 inches (6.25 cm).
Image courtesy of Ronnie Cotty Coll. 2021

Graviata is an uncolored surface covering decoration etched into the enamel - but not through it - to the paste beneath. It is usually a feathery design of scrolling leaf-like patterns or can be of wave-like designs on the underside of rims on Qing dynasty Imperial wares. Common as surface covering decoration on the enameled background of "Peking"-bowls.

See also: Sgraffito

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