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| ClayArt by Lezlie Finet |
| Pit-Fired & Saggar Fired Work |
| (Click on thumbnail to enlarge) |
Historically, saggars were used to protect pottery from the effects of direct flame, flying ash & debris produced while being fired in wood-burning kilns. Contemporary saggar firing is just the opposite; the concept is to expose the work directly to volatile materials, in order to encourage the carbonizing, flashing, blushing and other visually exciting surface effects. Saggars are heat-resistant containers made from clay, firebricks, metal cans, or even wrapped tin foil. The process involves enclosing a burnished (highly polished) piece in the saggar with a variety of combustibles, and fired to a temperature which allows the materials to produce the desired effects but not so high as to burn them out. My goal is the warm and subtle earth tones, contrasting with areas of dark carbonation, and marbled imprints of organic matter. Some of my favorite additions are the various chemical salts, sulfates and oxides, from common table salt or baking soda to garden fertilizers. I’ve found that soaking Spanish moss in copper carbonate or iron chloride produce colors ranging from peach to browns to mauve pinks. Packing organic matter around the work, such as plants, flowers, seaweed, feathers and horsehair, have shown some interesting designs. Each piece I fire is an experiment in discovering which combination of materials and firing variables achieve such beautiful & exciting results. |
| (Tri-pots) |
| Saggar Pail |