The term Aufglasur means "overglaze" and is often used as part of the word "Aufglasurmalerei" ("painted overglaze"). Both terms refer to a type of finish commonly found on older decorative studio objects that is difficult to clean because the decoration is unprotected. However, certain decorative elements benefited from the absence of a final glaze, so overglaze decoration has its own justification.
Its direct counterpart, of course, is the so-called Unterglasur ("underglaze") decoration, which describes a different manufacturing process. Such items are given a final glaze during an additional firing to protect the decoration.
It is also worth mentioning the Inglasur ("inglaze") decoration, a hybrid of the above two. In this case, the colour used for decoration is chemically more like a glaze and does not require a final covering as it fuses directly with the body, resulting in a permanent decoration.
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