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If you've ever picked up a vintage ceramic piece and noticed a web of tiny cracks in the glaze, you've seen crazing. It's one of those quirks that make vintage what it is - imperfect, storied, and full of charm.

As a vintage seller and collector, I see crazing often, especially in older dishes, vases, and decorative pottery. Some people wonder if it's a flaw or if it means a piece is "damaged." But it depends, read on to learn more.

What is Crazing in Vintage Ceramics?

Crazing is a network of fine cracks that appear in the glaze of ceramic and porcelain items. It's not a crack in the clay itself, but in the glossy finish on top.

It usually happens because the glaze and the body of the piece expand and contract at different rates over time, thanks to age, moisture, or even temperature shifts.

Here is an excellent example. This crazing happened inside a vintage ceramic planter from the 1970s due to moisture from watering the plant that was once inside.

Is it Safe?

✅ For display? Yes

✅ For decor styling? Yes

✅For other non-food purposes? Yes

❌For food? Not recommended - crazing can trap bacteria and make cleaning difficult

Here is a small vintage creamer with extensive crazing. The crazing lines appear dark in color because of a combination of moisture and things like coffee, tea, oil, food, or dust that have settled into these fine cracks in the glaze. The risk is that this collection of matter that has settled into the crazing can harbor bacteria.

At Little Boho Cottage, we always recommend using crazed pieces for decorative purposes only－like open shelving, wall displays, or even plant styling. That way, you enjoy the charm without worrying about food safety.

Why I Love Crazing

Personally, I think crazing tells a story. It softens a piece, makes it feel loved, and signals that it's truly vintage, not just "vintage inspired."

For collectors and vintage lovers, crazing isn't a flaw － it's part of the soul.

Styling & Shopping Tips

Here are a few ideas for how to use crazed pieces in your home.

Hang a grouping of plates for an interesting gallery wall.

Source: Decorilla

Gather several pieces and create a fun spring vignette with flower pots, flower frogs, and pretty green accents.

What is Crazing in Vintage Ceramics? (And Why It's Not a Dealbreaker)

Source: Pinterest

Here's a cute vintage mug from my shop that has some crazing. It's full of character and would make a really cute shaving mug.

Here are a few other ideas:

Group a few crazed pitchers on a mantel or open shelf.
Use a crazed bowl as a catch-all for keys or jewelry.
Style a vase with dried flowers for a low-maintenance cottagecore vibe.

📌Bonus: Know What to Look For

Not all vintage imperfections are charming － here's a quick cheat sheet:

Imperfection Keep It or Skip It? Notes

Crazing ✅Keep Great for display and alternative uses

Small Chips ✅/❌ Depends Ok on non-sharp edges

Hairline Cracks ❌ Skip Often unstable

Stains ✅/❌ Depends Sometimes adds patina

Missing Glaze ✅Keep - adds charm Especially with age and wear

Want the Full Deep-Dive?

I originally wrote a more in-depth guide to crazing over on our sister blog, Little Vintage Cottage. If you're curious to learn more about crazing, check it out! A Guide to Crazing, What is it and is it Good or Bad?

I've created a FREE cheat sheet to help you determine which vintage flaws to embrace and which ones to avoid. Get your copy here:

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