Schwarzlot

pottery

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July 13, 2026

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Schwarzlot is a decorative technique used on pottery, particularly on German glass and porcelain, during the 17th and 18th centuries. This method involves painting with a black, linear style, often derived from engravings. While primarily black, touches of other colors like red or gold were sometimes incorporated.12

The technique was notably practiced by glass painters like Johann Schaper in Nuremberg, who created delicate landscapes and architectural scenes. It was also applied to faience and porcelain, with studio painters known as Hausmaler bringing undecorated pieces from factories to apply their own decorations. This resulted in fine quality work, often featuring intricate designs and a sophisticated aesthetic.12

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pottery
Tin-glazed ware
…first they mostly used the Schwarzlot technique—decoration in a black, linear style that was nearly always based on line engravings. Faience thus decorated dates from about 1660 and is the work of Johann Schaper (died 1670), who had been a Nürnberg glass painter, J.L. Faber, and others. Polychrome enamel decoration…
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…first they mostly used the Schwarzlot technique—decoration in a black, linear style that was nearly always based on line engravings. Faience thus decorated dates from about 1660 and is the work of Johann Schaper (died 1670), who had been a Nürnberg glass painter, J.L. Faber, and others. Polychrome enamel decoration…
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glassware
Germany
…in black or sepia (Schwarzlotmalerei)—a technique borrowed from the stained-glass artist—was used to decorate the small cylindrical beakers (often resting on three hollow ball feet), which were a locally favoured shape. Other colours, notably red used in touches with the black, were occasionally employed. The greatest and most original…
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…in black or sepia (Schwarzlotmalerei)—a technique borrowed from the stained-glass artist—was used to decorate the small cylindrical beakers (often resting on three hollow ball feet), which were a locally favoured shape. Other colours, notably red used in touches with the black, were occasionally employed. The greatest and most original…
Read More