sgraffito

noun

sgraf·fi·to | \ zgra-ˈfē-(ˌ)tō

, skra-\

plural sgraffiti\ zgra-ˈfē-(ˌ)tē

, skra- \

Definition of sgraffito

1 : decoration by cutting away parts of a surface layer (as of plaster or clay) to expose a different colored ground — compare graffito

2 : something (such as traditional Pennsylvania Dutch pottery) decorated with sgraffito

Recent Examples on the Web

The earliest paintings were done in the sgraffito technique, where a light layer of plaster is applied over a darker one and then scraped off to create patterns with the color underneath (think large-scale scratch art). — Hadley Keller, House Beautiful, "Engadin Has Some of the Most Delightfully Painted Homes in the World," 23 July 2019 Etch a sketch: The village of Pontresina, in Switzerland’s Engadine Valley, is known for an unusual ornamentation on its buildings called sgraffito. — National Geographic, "Fun Facts About the Swiss and Italian Alps," 26 Mar. 2019

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