This Raku vase was thrown on the potter's wheel by Sherri Ciszek, a potter in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia. The lustrous copper glaze is broken by three circles. There is a striking straw mark on the side without circles. The shoulder is accented by small posts. These posts and the interior of the vase wear the traditional white crackle glaze. This vase was reduced during the kiln firing as well as in the straw reduction bin, turning the exposed clay in the circles black. The lustrous colors, crackle effect, and smoking on bare clay is a product of both art and chance. Therefore, each piece is unique and unable to be replicated. This particular pot did everything I hoped it would and more. The copper sings, the blacks are deep and rich, the straw mark in the glaze (caused by the glaze still being partially liquid when it came glowing out of the kiln and was thrown into the straw) combine to make this one of my favorite pieces to date.

Raku Pottery is for decorative use only. This vase will not hold water without having a waterproof sealant applied or a plastic container placed inside.