1. a fine network of cracks that appears on the surface of a painting, glaze, or varnish, typically due to age or environmental stress
Usage: art and conservation term; often used in the study and restoration of paintings and ceramics

Examples

• The museum's conservators examined the craquelure on the old master painting to determine its age.
• The porcelain vase showed a distinctive craquelure pattern across its glazed surface.
• Experts can sometimes identify forgeries by studying the craquelure of the paint layer.
• The antique oil painting's craquelure was consistent with its claimed date of origin.
• Fine craquelure developed on the ceramic tile after centuries of exposure to moisture.