Raku Vase #01 by Anna Demidova

Carefully handcrafted raku vase.
Raku ceramics are special because of the unpredictability of the raku firing technique. Raku firing is done in an extremely hot kiln and then removed while the ceramic piece is still red-hot or molten. Immediately after coming out of the kiln, the ceramic piece
is then placed in a reduction chamber – usually a simple metal bin or container – filled with sawdust or paper. The extreme heat from the ceramic piece then ignites the combustible material in the reduction chamber, which is then sealed for a while. What happens
inside the reduction chamber next is the key to the unique and unpredictable colors and patterns of each raku ceramic piece.
The various copper tones and sheen are the result, every piece comes out different and one of a kind. All pieces are hand-sculpted from white fireclay, fired and glazed. The
black graphite appeared after immersing the hot product in a container with wooden posture.