Raku firing is an ancient Japanese technique.
It encourages hairline cracks to appear in the surface
of the glaze by subjecting the pots to extreme changes
of temperature during the firing process, and immersing
them in sawdust, giving an amazing sense of texture.
When the pots are at a very high temperature and the
glaze has melted they are taken out of the kiln and
thrown (gently!) into a metal container filled with
sawdust.
The heat of the pots quickly sets the sawdust alight
at which point the container is closed.
Once the fire uses up all of the oxygen it starts to
draw it out of the clay, which is when tiny cracks begin
to trace their way randomly across the surface of the
pot, leaving unglazed areas blackened.
Pots are further enhanced after firing by the use of
gold leaf.
See the collection
