|
Pit firing has roots going back thousands of years in most
indigenous cultures.
The ritual of the preparation of the pots is one of care
and respect...a way to honor our ancestors.
Preparing for a pit firing requires attention to a particular
and time-honed process. I place the bisque pots in a pit
about 30" deep
and completely cover with wood, straw and cedar chips. The
material in the pit is lit around the outside edges, which
slowly burns and increases in temperature to approximately
1800° over a period
of about six to eight
hours. When there is nothing left but charred embers, I
put the cover on the pit for the cool down period. A primitive
pit firing takes about three days to complete.
After the pots have cooled, the ashes are washed off and
the pots are set aside to dry and admire. The patterns
created by a pit firing are unique. See more examples of
pit-fired pottery by visiting the gallery.
click above images for a larger view
|
109 5th Street
