The term “Sgraffito” comes from the Italian word “Sgraffire,” meaning "to scratch."  This technique is used in painting, pottery, and glass, which consists of putting down a preliminary surface, covering it with another, and then scratching the superficial layer in such a way that the pattern or shape that emerges is of the lower color.

In wall painting, or mural painting, two or more layers of different-colored plaster are usually employed.  In stained glass, the scratching is done through a top layer of colored glass, revealing clear glass beneath.  In pottery, the pattern is incised through a white or colored slip (mixture of clay and water washed over the vessel before firing), revealing the body color beneath.

 © 2011 valentin melik