Hairline cracks in porcelain pot. Is it normal?

I know practically nothing about porcelain, but someone was getting rid of this handpainted pot that I kind of liked. However I noticed- particularly after washing it and it getting wet- that there are lots of hairline vertical cracks both outside and inside (look at the white areas).
Is this something that is common with all handpainted pottery, or is this a sign that its damaged, or poorly made or fired?
thanks!

 

I can only see it somewhat in your third picture, but it sounds like you're talking about crazing. Googling the term should get you informed on what it is and how it happens.

 

I'm going to assume that's a yes?

 

I'm going to assume that's a yes?

 

Well I scoured the web and only found one other jar like this one, which was sold on Ebay in 2014.
Oddly enough, it also has a very similar pattern of vertical "craze" lines.
However, this is not the very vase.... as I can tell the hand painting is slightly different.
Its a neat looking piece imo. I suppose I would have preferred no lines, but maybe that's just the nature of the animal we're dealing with here.


http://www.ebay.com/itm/Large-Vinta...D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557

 

Crazing in ceramic glazes is not uncommon. It is usually considered a defect. In the case of a decorative object it may be of less importance than in the case of a utilitarian object, but at best it is generally considered unsightly.

Crazing is a crack in the glaze, but not the body, of a piece. A glaze can be like a sealant covering the ceramic. If a glaze is cracked, it is no longer effective as a sealant, liquids (for instance) will penetrate to the ceramic underneath and cause staining.

Sometimes crazing is intentionally forced, often to enhance the appearance of age, though I doubt that is the case here.

It is not dependent on age. Many modern pieces develop crazing very early on. There are plenty of old pieces that have never developed it. It can caused by any number of factors.

 

Nonni's is a popular brand of biscotti here in the US. Sold in most supermarkets.

 

It's a cookie jar then.

 

Welcome, jeffpas. If selling it's important that the crazing be mentioned. Most of my ebay descriptions for porcelain and pottery specify "no chips, cracks, hairlines, crazing, staining, or repairs." If it's crazed like yours I include a description something like "light crazing throughout the piece." It matters to some folks but not to others.

In my experience some manufacturers' pieces seem more prone to crazing than others. Generally the more expensive the piece was originally the less likely it was to experience crazing. I've never seen a piece of Limoges or Herend with crazing but it's hard to find certain McCoy lines without it. These are just my observations and others may disagree.
Don

 

Hey Don....now you're not so surprised!!!! Delete the original one!!!

 

This jar has been 'pinging' ever since I brought it home, and adding more cracks. It appears one single rinsing has put it on self destruct.
I'm going to follow the cue of the original owner and toss it out, or possibly drop it off at Goodwill. Its too maddening to have such things in your life lol.