This crystalline-glazed vase was made by me in my home studio. It is made of pure, high-fire porcelain. It is glazed on the inside, as well as on the outside with a unique crystalline glaze. And since this glaze behaves differently on each piece, each is truly one-of-a-kind. The bottom is numbered and signed by me. After the final firing the bottom of the vase is ground flat to provide a nice, stable footing.
The interesting pattern you see in the glaze is due entirely to the crystals that GREW IN THE GLAZE at a very high temperature.
This piece is about 5" tall.
The glaze on this piece is "optically active." If you are not familiar with that term, I explain it below.
Unfortunately, photographs never do crystalline glazes justice – you really have to see it in person to fully appreciate it.
As with all of my vases, this one is totally waterproof and lead free. The colors will never change or fade. As a result they can make a beautiful addition to your home, table, mantle, or some other special place. They also make great gifts (and since each one is unique, you know the recipient cannot already have one like it).
FREE STANDARD SHIPPING.
I am always concerned that your items arrive promptly and safely. Items are always securely packed to prevent breakage. They are wrapped with bubble wrap and larger pieces are double-boxed. I have not had a single item break in transit in the past 10 years. If you wish it sent to someone else, let me know. I can also enclose a gift note. Special shipping arrangements can also be made.
If you are not familiar with crystalline glazes, you may find the following informative:
WHAT ARE CRYSTALLINE GLAZES?
Crystalline glazes are those special ceramic glazes in which crystals actually GROW IN THE GLAZE while it is still very hot (over 2000 degrees F). The crystals start out as microscopic spots in the glaze, called "seeds." These seeds form spontaneously in the glaze, in random numbers and locations. Then when the glaze is held at the crystal growing temperature (from 6 to 12 hours), the crystals start growing on the seeds. The longer the glaze is held at that temperature, the larger the crystals get - until the maximum size for that particular glaze is attained.
In order for the crystals to grow, the glaze must be very fluid. Because of this, much of the glaze runs off the piece during the firing. In order to contain the glaze, a catch basin and specially-shaped pedestal are made for each piece. The piece is placed on the pedestal in the catch basin for the firing. After the firing, the piece is carefully separated (with some difficulty) from the pedestal, and its bottom is ground flat.
WHY IS THIS GLAZE SUCH A CHALLENGE?
Most potters consider crystalline glazes to be the most difficult and challenging of all glazes to produce. This is because they are unusually difficult and time-consuming to formulate and fire. They require meticulous attention to every detail. Also, the "success rate" is much lower for this glaze than for any other. Often less than 50% of the pieces turn out; the others either have poor color or no crystals.
This glaze is extremely fickle. One can fire it in exactly the same way two days in a row, and it will come out quite differently each time. Consequently, the results are quite unpredictable, both as to numbers and sizes of crystals.
GLAZE COLORS
Without getting too technical, you might be interested to know that my crystalline glazes come in two color categories: 1. Oxygen-fired and 2. Reduction-fired.
The oxygen-fired colors are fired in ordinary air. These colors are quite reproducible. They include blue, green, mauve, and the very distinctive blue crystals on a tan background.
The reduction-fired colors are fired in a special atmosphere created by burning all of the oxygen out of the kiln. These colors are very fickle. They usually turn out differently in every kiln load. Reduction-fired colors include red, orange, yellow, and purple. These colors vary greatly from one firing to the next.
As you already know, the colors that you see on your monitor may well not be exactly the same as the color of the item. Also the depth and details of the crystals do not show in a photo.
WHAT DOES OPTICALLY ACTIVE MEAN?
Most of the crystals that form in my glazes are "optically active". This means that as you change the orientation of the crystals you are looking at (for instance, by rotating the pot in your hands) their colors change somewhat or they reflect light differently often giving the illusion that they are rotating. No other ceramic glaze has this exciting effect. And there is no way this can be shown in a photograph. You have to see it to fully appreciate it.
FOR MORE INFORMATION ON MY CERAMICS
Please visit my website: www.JonPriceCeramics.com. I do not sell anything on that site, but I do have a list of some of the stores that carry my work and the craft shows I will be doing.
