Introduction: Crackle Glazes are highly sought after by collectors. According to a factory worker I interviewed, they were difficult to
produce. Because of the added cost to produce items in these glazes, pieces were
priced slightly higher when new and they continue to have a premium associated with them. The
crackling affect will vary from piece to piece across all colors. While Gonder
brochures indicate the crackle glazes are clear, I have noted some pieces of
White Crackle appear cloudy and crazed. The crazing is easily distinguished from the intended crackle effect. I shy away from those pieces and wait for a better example to present itself.
The brochures indicate the names as Turquoise Chinese Crackle, White Chinese Crackle and Italian Pink Crackle. They are however, most often referred to as Turquoise Crackle, White Crackle and Pink Crackle. Brochures from Bradley Manufacturing list Ivory Crackle as a color available on lamps and ashtrays. This is indeed the same as White Crackle. Antique Gold Crackle is most often shortened to Gold Crackle.
Antique Gold Crackle - one of
Gonders most noted achievements. Introducing the use of 24K gold and a guarded technique to crackle the finish, pieces were produced by special order only.
Production was limited to an isolated area of the factory due to the high cost in using real
gold. Crackling affect varies greatly from piece to piece. Gentle cleaning
only as this glaze is easily damaged.
Standard - commonly found. Ex: E-3, H-5, J-69.
Imperial - more difficult to find. Ex: #533, #547, #548.
Original - rarely found. Found with turquoise interior on 700 series planters. Ex: #748.
Lamp Bases - rarely found. Ex: #530.
Ceramic Arts - not generally found on this line.
Celadon
Crackle - seldom seen glaze. Common on ashtrays from the Original Line.
Original - commonly found on ashtrays. Ex: #805, #807.
Lamp Bases - rarely found. Ex: H-73, #5507.
Standard, Imperial, Original - not generally found on these
lines.
Turquoise Crackle #26 - popular crackle glaze found on
many Gonder items. Glaze is often uneven in appearance. Assumed to be intentional to
better reflect the appearance of old Chinese pieces.
Original - commonly found on ashtrays. More rare on other pieces. Vases and
planters found with chartreuse interior. Ex: #530, #748, #805, #807.
Lamp Bases - rarely found. Ex: #530.
Ceramic Arts - not generally found on this
line.
White
Crackle #27 - very popular crackle glaze and found on many Gonder items. On
pieces with Gonder's well known Pink interiors (Standard and Imperial Lines), the glaze is Ivory in appearance. These pieces were
dipped in the Pink glaze to coat the interior. The application of the White
Crackle over the Pink results in an Ivory color. Pieces from the Original Line have a Chartreuse (or rarely Forest
Green) interior resulting in a bright white appearance.
Standard - commonly found. Ex: E-3, E-5, H-74.
Imperial - commonly found. Ex: #510, #535, #545.
Original - commonly found on ashtrays. More rare on other pieces. Vases and
planters found with chartreuse or forest green interiors. Ex: #793, #805, #807.
Lamp Bases - commonly found. Ex: #584.
Ceramic Arts - not generally found on this
line.
Pink
Crackle - seldom seen glaze. Commonly found on ashtrays from the Original Line. While not normally found on pieces from the Imperial Line, I recently saw a photo of a spectacular #522 Scarla Fish in Pink Crackle!
Original - commonly found on ashtrays. More rare on other pieces. Vases and
planters found with chartreuse interior. Ex: #793, #805, #807.
Lamp Bases - rarely found. Ex: H-73.
Standard, Imperial, Ceramic Arts - not generally found on these
lines.
Yellow Crackle - rarest of the crackle glazes in my
observations. Interior of vases and planters are Forest Green creating a
striking color combination.
Imperial - rarely found. Ex: #538.
Original - rarely found. Ex: #704, #709.
Lamp Bases - rarely found.
Standard, Ceramic Arts - not generally found on these
lines.
