Intarsia, mishima or inlays

The term ‘intarsia’ originates from woodworking. It is a technique whereby inlaid materials are incorporated into solid wood.

2 October, 2025
14:38

However, intarsia can also be used in ceramics. This type of inlay work is also referred to as ‘mishima‘.

It is essentially the reverse of the sgraffito technique. With sgraffito, you scratch away the coloured layer of sludge to reveal the underlying layer, whereas with intarsia, you scratch a pattern into your clay and then fill it with a different colour of clay sludge or underglaze, which you then wash off.

This creates a pattern or drawing of lines lying “in” the surface, with no relief. Want to give it a try?

Can’t see the examples? Check out the board on Pinterest.

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