Geode Pot - £15 (GBP)

Earthenware terracotta pinch pot with a Dalmatian crystal glaze inside. From the series "Geodes".
Around 130 mm diameter x 80 mm deep

The idea behind my series of Geode pots is the discovery of a treasure inside ~ all of us have it in us. Its like stumbling across a geode (rock), when it is split you find an amazing wonder inside.. a true treasure!
I like the idea that you uncover something old, that has taken maybe millions of years to form, but it is new in the fact it has only just been discovered.
So... I have mixed together old traditional techniques ~ the pinch pot vessel and keeping the form simple, but over stretched the clay to give the outside a cracked weathered feel. After all firings I then polish each vessel with beeswax for a buffed feel.
Then in contrast I mixed it with the "new" by glazing the inside with a crystal glaze ~ a relatively modern/new pottery glazing technique. The glaze has crystals suspended in it, once applied to the ware and it is being fired the crystals react during the firing, releasing burst of color ~ I can't predict how the crystals perform... so even a small surprise for me too!
These are very pleasing shapes which are extremely tactile. Each one holds within it a wonderful richly coloured burst of treasure inside. It's funny, everybody seems drawn to them and compelled to pick them up, cradle them and peep in side.