Cobalt
Artistic technique of decoration on porcelain with cobalt-based paints.
Cobalt is one of the most recognizable types of porcelain painting. Its special feature is that paint made from cobalt oxide is applied to the unglazed surface of the item, then covered with a transparent glaze and fired at high temperature. As a result, the color becomes rich, deep, and slightly translucent through the glaze layer.
This technique originated in China in the 13th century and later conquered Europe — the famous "blue and white" patterns of Meissen and Gzhel owe their beauty to it. Cobalt paint is durable, so items do not fade even after centuries. Interestingly, due to the high cost of cobalt in the 18th century, it was often diluted with impurities, causing shades to vary from blue to grayish-violet.
Today, cobalt decoration symbolizes classic elegance, and its refined patterns remain an example of hand-painting mastery.