What were transparent glazes typically made from?
Glazes are generally made from vitreous glass-like substances. Silicone dioxide is the commonly mixed with metal oxides used as a “flux” to lower the melting point. Tin or lead are commonly added to the glaze, which serves to waterproof the ceramic and alter the color. For examples tin is commonly used to give the illusion that a red-colored earthenware is a white porcelain.