Porcelain Raku Vase

2000-20

American

1/22/2022

Stunning, squat raku vase with an iridescent and slightly textured finish. The body is expertly formed and unbelievably thin and delicate for a Raku piece- the vase weighs a mere 14.5 ounces! Most of the piece was left unglazed to contrast with some dabs and swooshes of reflective, oxide glaze. The raku firing has given the unglazed areas a matte, ashy black effect and flames from the process have left scorch marks in various shades of sienna and goldenrod. Overall, the piece exhibits mastery of clay and technique.

Raku firings are the most dramatic form of ceramic firing. They involve quickly heating bisqued pots in outdoor kilns to 1,800 degrees, then plunging the red-hot pots into open-air containers that are filled with combustible materials. The containers burst into flame and smoke, which stains the unglazed portions of the pottery black. The amount of oxygen that is allowed during the firing and cooling process affects the resulting color of the glaze and the amount of crackle. Porcelain is especially tricky to use for raku firing. It has a reputation for not tolerating the sudden drop in temperature when it is taken from the kiln. As such, with porcelain, there can be quite a high casualty rate with a high percentage of pots cracking.

In excellent vintage condition, with no chips, cracking, crazing or other signs of wear. There is one small hairline dunt on the base which occurred during the firing process- not unusual for such a delicate piece of raku. No signature or maker’s marks, but the base is incised with the number “2”.