sgraffito

[ skrah-fee-toh; Italian zgrahf-fee-taw ]

noun

, plural sgraf·fi·ti [skrah-, fee, -tee, zg, r, ahf-, fee, -tee].

1. a technique of ornamentation in which a surface layer of paint, plaster, slip, etc., is incised to reveal a ground of contrasting color.
2. an object, especially pottery, decorated by this technique.

sgraffito

/ sɡræˈfiːtəʊ /

noun

1. a technique in mural or ceramic decoration in which the top layer of glaze, plaster, etc, is incised with a design to reveal parts of the ground
2. such a decoration
3. an object decorated in such a way

Word History and Origins

Origin of sgraffito¹

1720–30; < Italian, past participle of sgraffire to do graffito work, derivative of sgraffio a scratch, implement for drawing, itself derivative of ( s ) graffiare to scratch, draw on plaster with a pointed tool; ex ¹, graffito

Word History and Origins

Origin of sgraffito¹

C18: from Italian, from sgraffire to scratch; see graffiti

Example Sentences

The sgraffito pottery is a red earthenware, coated with a white slip through which designs have been incised.

From Project Gutenberg

Worth Bailey, then museum technician at Jamestown, was the first to recognize the source of the sgraffito ware as “Devonshire.”

From Project Gutenberg

However, certain kinds of sgraffito ware continued to be made without apparent interruption until early in the present century.

From Project Gutenberg

In sites dating from before about 1670, no North Devon wares are found, excepting the early sgraffito sherd mentioned above.

From Project Gutenberg

The sgraffito ware has been unearthed in Virginia, Maryland, and Massachusetts.

From Project Gutenberg