Cobalt glass—known as "smalt" when ground as a pigment—is a deep blue coloured glass prepared by including a cobalt compound, typically cobalt oxide or cobalt carbonate, in a glass melt. Cobalt is a very intense colouring agent and very little is required to show a noticeable amount of colour.

Smalt is an ideal pigment for glazing ceramics as it is nearly transparent (fig.1). An inorganic pigment that does not have a precise chemical formula, smalt contains between 2 and 18% cobalt oxide and 66 and 72% silica.

Mar 28, 2025 · After all, European-made cobalt-based pigments like smalt were widely imported to South Asia only in the 17th century, and synthetic cobalt blue was popularized only in the early 19th century. ... Mapping Color’s scientists rely 99% of the time on non-destructive methods, according to Eremin, who is one of the project’s core partners. ...

Feb 28, 2025 · Explore the fascinating world of smalt color, its historical significance, and how it's used in modern design and art. Learn about its vibrant hue, origin, and applications in various creative fields.

Jun 26, 2024 · Smalt, a vibrant blue pigment, has a storied history in the art world, revered for its use by old masters and yet notorious for its tendency to degrade over time. Originating from cobalt glass, smalt’s extensive use by European masters, notably Rembrandt, speaks volumes about its significance in art history.

Jun 26, 2024 · Smalt, a historical blue pigment made from cobalt and potassium glass, was widely used by old masters, including Rembrandt. Over time, smalt is prone to degradation, shifting from vibrant blue to grey-yellow due to potassium leaching.

Brief description of Smalt: It's a ground blue potassium glass containing cobalt used among the 15th and the 18th centuries. In Europe the use of smalt as an artist's pigment was widespread certainly as early as the late sixteenth century.

Aug 11, 2023 · Smalt is an artist's pigment seldom found in modern palettes or paint lines, despite historically being one of the most important blue pigments, used by such titans of art history as Vermeer, Rembrandt, and J.M.W. Turner.

Smalt is a finely ground glass containing cobalt. It is chemically stable, but it contains potassium and thus its stability is lower than glasses containing sodium. The pigment is known to have discolored in oil paintings but not in fresco. The discoloration is due to several factors and it has been thoroughly investigated (1 – 5).

Smalt is ground blue cobalt-containing glass. It was first described by Borghini in 1584. Cobalt oxide obtained was melted together with quartz and potash or added to molten glass.