If you have seen Niiliving’s ceramic pieces — the matcha bowls covered in delicate illustrations of animals, landscapes, and small quiet scenes — and wondered how those images get onto the surface of the clay, the answer is sgraffito.
Sgraffito is the technique at the heart of Niiliving’s visual identity, and it is one of the oldest decorative techniques in ceramic history. In this guide, we explain exactly what sgraffito is, how it works, what makes it so special — and why it is one of the most expressive things you can do with clay.
What Does “Sgraffito” Mean?
The word sgraffito comes from the Italian verb “sgraffiare”, which means “to scratch.” The technique originated in ancient Rome and was widely used in Renaissance-era Italian architecture — large plaster murals were built up in layers of different colours, then the top layer was scratched away to reveal contrasting imagery beneath.
In ceramics, the same principle applies: a layer of coloured slip (liquid clay) is applied over the surface of an unfired piece, and then a tool is used to scratch, carve, or etch through that top layer to reveal the different-coloured clay body beneath. The result is crisp, high-contrast illustration embedded directly into the surface of the ceramic — not painted on top, but carved into it.
How Does Sgraffito Work? Step by Step
Sgraffito is applied after the piece has been shaped and allowed to dry to a “leather hard” state. Here is how the technique works:
- The clay piece is formed — either on the wheel or by handbuilding — and allowed to dry until leather hard.
- A coloured slip is applied to the surface. At Niiliving, we commonly use dark slips — deep navy, black, forest green — to maximise contrast.
- The slip is allowed to dry slightly, but not fully.
- Using a variety of tools — loop tools, needle tools, styluses — the artist scratches through the slip layer to reveal the lighter clay body beneath.
- The scratched design is refined and cleaned. Fine details are added with very fine tools.
- The piece is allowed to fully dry, then bisque-fired at approximately 950°C.
- After bisque firing, a transparent or semi-transparent glaze is applied.
- The piece is glaze-fired at 1200–1280°C.
The sgraffito technique is entirely worked by hand. No decals, no transfers, no digital printing. Every line on a Niiliving piece is the result of a tool held by a human hand — which is why no two pieces are ever exactly alike, even within the same series.
What Tools Are Used in Sgraffito?
- Loop tools — for clearing larger areas of slip quickly
- Needle tools / pin tools — for fine line work and detailed illustration
- Wooden styluses — for broader, softer marks
- Custom-carved wooden tools — many ceramic artists make their own tools for specific effects
What Makes Sgraffito Different from Painted Ceramics?
On a painted ceramic, the design sits in the glaze layer on top of the surface. On a sgraffito piece, the design is carved into the clay body itself. This means:
- The imagery is more durable — it cannot peel or chip the way a surface-applied design might
- The design has physical texture — you can feel the lines when you run your finger across the surface
- Each piece is unique — it is literally impossible to replicate sgraffito work exactly, even by the same artist
- The technique rewards close looking — sgraffito pieces reveal new details as you hold them in different lights
Sgraffito in Indonesian Ceramic Art
While sgraffito has deep roots in European and Asian ceramic traditions, it is increasingly being adopted by Indonesian ceramic artists as a vehicle for local storytelling. At Niiliving, we use sgraffito to tell small, personal stories. Our pieces feature recurring characters — Oka the quokka, curious cats, herons, frogs, deer — set within scenes that feel intimate and handmade.
Niiliving’s Sgraffito Collections
- In This Universe — our original series featuring Oka the quokka and friends in everyday moments of joy
- In This Journey — a spiritually-themed collection featuring Biblical imagery in our signature sgraffito style
- Niiliving x Mariskha — a collaboration series combining Niiliving’s sgraffito with Mariskha’s distinctive illustration style
Each piece is wheel-thrown or handbuilt, sgraffito-carved, glazed, and double-fired in our studio kiln. Production is intentionally limited — many pieces sell out within days of release.
How to Care for Sgraffito Ceramics
- Hand washing is preferred for pieces with metallic accents or very fine carved detail
- Avoid harsh abrasive scouring pads — a soft sponge is all you need
- All Niiliving pieces are kiln-fired to stoneware temperatures, making them durable and non-porous
- Sgraffito lines will not fade, peel, or wear — the illustration is part of the clay body itself
Explore Niiliving’s Sgraffito Collection
Each piece is handcrafted and one-of-a-kind — shop the current collection online.
niiliving.com/shop | WhatsApp: +62 812-8172-3079
→ Also read: How to Choose a Matcha Bowl: Ceramic, Handmade & What to Look For
→ Also read: The Complete Guide to Pottery Classes in Jakarta (2026)
