Wood Fired Textured Stoneware Vase
Wood Fired Textured Stoneware Vase
This handmade wood fired ceramic vase is wheel thrown and shaped by flame, ash, and kiln atmosphere to create a richly varied, one-of-a-kind surface. Warm golden and amber tones blend with deeper brown and subtle hints of blue where ash has melted into the glaze, highlighting the natural movement of the firing. With its compact form and dynamic surface, this vase brings both function and character to any space.
Details
The vase stands approximately 6.5 inches tall and measures about 4 inches wide at the belly. The lip spans roughly 3.5 inches across, with an inner opening of about 2 inches, and the base measures approximately 2.5 inches wide. Its proportions make it especially well-suited for smaller arrangements. All of my pottery is dishwasher safe for easy cleanup.
Use
Perfect for fresh flowers, dried stems, or simple foraged arrangements, this vase’s narrower opening helps support and shape a small bouquet. It also works beautifully as a standalone decorative piece, where the natural variation from the wood firing can be appreciated from every angle.
Process
This vase was wheel thrown using Rods Bod clay. White slip (a blend of white clay and water) was painted around the belly of the vase to create the soft texture and color variation. The vase was glazed on the interior, around the rim and down the neck in Microcrystal Pearl glaze. The belly of the pot was left unglazed.
This piece was fired in a wood-burning kiln at Desert Dragon Pottery Studio in North Phoenix. Unlike electric or gas kilns, wood firing relies entirely on burning wood to build heat and atmosphere inside the kiln. As the kiln is stoked, flame, ash, and minerals from the burning wood move naturally around the pottery, creating organic surface markings, flashing, and subtle color transitions that cannot be replicated through glazing alone.
The kiln used is a fast-fire wood kiln that reaches temperature in approximately 12 hours. The dynamic nature of wood firing means each piece responds differently to its placement within the kiln, resulting in truly one-of-a-kind works that capture the spontaneity and beauty of the firing process.
