Hello, my name is Bob Smith, and I made this piece. It was made of a fine-particled clay, somewhat akin to porcelain. After the piece was thrown on the potter's wheel, trimmed and had completely dried, I applied a white slip to the surface. A slip is basically a thin coating of clay. But the slip that is used is called terra sigillata - it has been thinned in such a manner that, when it has nearly dried on the surface of the vessel, it can be burnished to a high sheen. The pot was then fired the first time to harden the body and to seal the terra sigillata.
Now came the magic. THERE IS NO GLAZE ON THIS PIECE. It is fired within a container which is called a saggar - basically a large bowl with another bowl placed lip to lip on top. Inside this saggar, along with the white pot, I put various ingredients - pine shavings, copper wire, steel wool, bronze wool, copper carbonate and table salt. Sometimes I add seaweed, coffee grounds, cobalt carbonate, dog food and maybe some Miracle-Gro™.
The saggar with everything inside was then fired in a kiln to 1709º F. At that temperature the various ingredients fumed the surface - again, there is no glaze used. When I reached temperature, I shut off the kiln, waited overnight and took the piece out of the saggar. I applied a thin sealant to help protect the surface - and that is it!
I have been firing in this style - saggar firing, and several other alternative firing methods - for nearly 50 years.
I hope you enjoy my work and this marvelous show. Thank you.