Lidded Shino Jar-Wood Fired

Description

This wheel thrown stoneware lidded jar is really sweet. It has a white shino glaze on the interior. I used three overlapping shino glazes on the exterior which turned out truly beautiful. I certainly can't take all the credit. As with most wood fired pieces, the kiln itself works it's magic and this was no exception.

The jar stands 4" tall and is 4-1/2" wide.
This piece is just plain pretty to look at and would be great on a favorite shelf. However, it would also be quite serviceable as a sugar bowl or a lovely place to keep your favorite things.

WOOD FIRING: It all begins with the chopping of the wood--many cords of wood! It takes a team of potters, friends and/or family to fire a wood kiln. On the first day we load the kiln and seal the door with mortar. The fire is started and stoking (inserting wood by hand) continues every few minutes over the next 35-40 hours. The kiln demands constant attention and it takes an incredible amount of time and energy to achieve temperature and desired results. It's a non-stop workout until temperature is achieved and it is this process that accounts for the typically higher price of wood fired pots.

During the firing process the constant addition of wood causes heat to rise, ash to fly and soda to volatilize. The wood ash settles on the pottery causing a natural ash glaze to form by the complex interaction between flame, ash, and the minerals comprising the clay body. Glaze formed by ash combines with other glazes to create the gorgeous variation in color and texture, and thickness. Glazes will vary from smooth and glossy to roughly textured and gnarly. Placement in the kiln, density and nearness of other pots, and oxidation and/or reduction environments all affect the outcome of each pot.

Added on Oct 12, 2009