Porcelain sculptures are prized for their delicate beauty, but glaze defects like crazing and blistering can mar their appearance. Understanding the root causes helps artists and collectors prevent these issues.

1. Material Mismatch: Crazing—fine cracks in the glaze—often occurs due to differing thermal expansion rates between the clay body and glaze. If the glaze shrinks more than the clay during cooling, tension causes cracking.

2. Firing Errors: Blistering—bubbles or pits in the glaze—typically results from improper firing. Rapid temperature rises trap gases, while insufficient soaking time prevents glaze maturation.

3. Glaze Thickness: Applying glaze too thickly can lead to blistering, as the outer layer dries faster, trapping moisture beneath. Uneven application may also cause localized stress and crazing.

4. Impurities in Materials: Contaminants in clay or glaze, such as air pockets or organic matter, can create defects during firing.

5. Cooling Rate: Rapid cooling increases the risk of crazing, as the glaze and clay contract at different rates. Controlled cooling minimizes stress.

By addressing these factors, ceramic artists can achieve flawless finishes on their porcelain masterpieces.