|
The RAKU method of firing pottery was developed
in the Sixteenth Century in Japan. It is a low-fire
form of pottery which has become quite popular
in the past decade with western potters. Each
piece has been "bisqued" and re fired
with Raku glaze in an
Outdoor Raku Kiln. The pieces are removed from
the kiln after reaching a temperature of approximate.
1,000 to 1,600 degrees F.
The fired pottery is then placed into sawdust,
straw, leaves or paper -- sealed and left to
smolder in the smoke that each of these mediums
produce. This results in oxygen being drawn
from the glaze which, thereby, produces a lustrous
or metallic surface to the vessel. The flame
pattern gives a unique colour to the surface
resulting in a mystic effect. When each piece
is extracted from the sawdust, stray, leaves
or paper outdoor fire - it is unique from every
other, and always a surprise. It is worth noting
that Raku is for DECORATIVE USE ONLY and will
not hold water. if you wish to put flowers into
your raku vase, you must first insert a glass
tubular vase which will hold the necessary water
to keep your flowers alive.
The Raku pieces that Terwilliger's Gifts offers
are made in British Columbia, Canada. We invite
you to visit Terwilliger's Gifts 675 Main St.,
Penticton in order to fully appreciate the uniqueness
of this form of pottery.
|