Crazing is the fine crack lines found on the surface of ceramics and porcelain. Unlike even the smallest of cracks, crazing cannot be felt when you run your fingers over it. Likewise, while a crack will weaken a porcelain or ceramic figurine, one that has crazing does not weaken the figurine. This is because crazing are “cracks” in the surface-level of the glaze of the figurine, not in the figurine itself. Crazing is caused by the drying of the porcelain surface due to exposure to heat, low humidity, and/or direct sunlight. It can also be due to rough handling. In the case of Mortens Studio dogs, they will show crazing because of their unique manner of production. These figurines were formed as solid ceramics on a metal mesh form. Jarring movement or even the expanding and contracting of the metal over time, caused these fabulous figurines to develop crazing. Don’t jump to the conclusion that all crazing is bad. Sometimes it is absolutely normal. Think of it as part of a natural aging process, like wrinkles on humans.  Is crazing reversible? Again, like wrinkles…no matter what the treatment is, the results will be disappointing.

Crazing