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Crystalline GlazesCrystalline glazing is time consuming & expensive to produce. There can be many failures, but when all goes well the effects are stunning.
All of my pots are hand thrown in porcelain, one of the more difficult clays to throw, especially large pots. Crystalline glaze is mixed using a variety of ingredients, some measured in minute amounts. It is applied very thick, up to 4mm to encourage the glaze to run. The pot is then placed on a pedestal and stands in a dish, to catch the runoff during the firing. When the kiln reaches the maximum temperature (up to 1300c). It is then rapidly cooled to a specific holding temperature. This is the time when the crystals form in the glaze. The amount of time held at this temperature contributes to the size of the crystals, which occur randomly, making each pot unique. When all has cooled down, there is the delicate operation of removing the pot from the pedestal and grinding the bottom smooth. |
Process of Removing the Pedestal
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I make a pedestal and dish for every vase, to catch the glaze run-off during the firing.
This is what it looks like once removed from the kiln. |
I then remove the pedestal by tapping the dish. This then breaks the seal, and the vase comes away.
This has to be done very carefully as this part of the process could damage the base of the pot. |
Once the vase has been removed from the pedestal, the edges are very sharp.
I use a diamond lapping disc to grind the base of the piece smooth. |