Sometimes the best things come only after the fire has burned.
While the pit is now full of water and ice, this fall saw our third attempt at pit firing pottery.
Pit firing is the first method that humans used to fire pottery almost 30,000 years ago. It was considered a great milestone in the development of civilization to have pottery as a tool, and something that has has shaped our species from then on.
With such an interesting story behind these pieces, and their ethereal smokey qualities with small splashes of textures and depth, pit-fired pottery makes a welcome gift for someone who likes unique and eclectic pieces.
I find looking at them is a relaxing experience akin to laying on my back and looking at shapes in the clouds.
This vase came out of the ashes
of this year’s firing.
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What do you see in the piece?
Check out our selection of pit fired pieces here and see how it is made here.
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What is something you like to do to stay connected to your history?
do you enjoy pit-Fired Pottery?
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It has a different look than kiln-fired pottery, nice!
Thanks John! It’s such a different process and enjoyable in it’s own way. I hope you have a great weekend. Send some heat our way LOL
Did you bisque them first before the pit fire?
Absolutley! But to a lower temperature than I normally would so they would be more porous, but not enough to explode. I only lost one piece in that batch, which I glued back together to keep for myself, because it was quite beautiful. The risks of pottery.
I hope you have a great weekend!
Way cool, thanks
Very cool effects! I see a storm brewing and a ghostly face on the right side of the vase.
I see that face too! Seems to be a few faces that show up when I do pit firings …
Thanks for commenting 😉
My pleasure.
That pit firing reminds me of pit bar-b-que that takes place in Eastern North Carolina and some other parts of the country. I wonder what would happen if you fired pots under a roasting pig with the fat dripping across the glaze! I know I am being silly. Just a thought. :>)
It’s an interesting idea that I might have trouble replicating in that way, though I could add some bacon grease in the puit. None of these pieces are actually glazed. I just throw different organic matter or minerals in that gives the effects as they burn off in the smoke.
Also roasted pork in the way you describe is delicious, I have been lucky to partake in the eating part a few times 😉
Interesting. Pork bar-b-que is delicious!
Beautiful! The first picture shows me a frog peeking from behind fallen leaves. The second picture shows me a smiling face with a dragonfly nose.
Thanks for sharing! I never saw the frog until you mentioned it! It’s always amazing to me the different things people see, and reminds us we all have a unique and beautiful perspective of how we view things in the world.