 Horse hair pottery is a unique technique combining an ancient Japanese
firing method with the application of a horse's long tail or mane hair. It is said that
the inspiration for these vessels originated with Native Americans. My
current work in this medium combines Western Raku techniques with the
application of horse hair and sometimes other materials like turkey feathers etc during the firing. Each piece of pottery is handmade
by me on the potters wheel using white stoneware or porcelain clay
body. After throwing, smoothing, trimming, burnishing, and bisque firing,
the pot is ready to re-fire. The bisque pots are loaded into the Raku kiln
and the temperature is brought up to approximately 1200 degrees. The pots
are then carefully removed, one at a time and the horsehair (or other
animal hair and occasionally feathers) are applied to
the extremely hot pot. Instantly the hair starts to vaporize on the
surface of the pot, squiggling and dancing around the surface of the
piece, painting it's image on the pot, leaving behind carbon black lines.
never are two piece alike. The pieces are then washed, dried, and hand
waxed with a quality paste or acrylic wax. Retail prices range from under $50.00 to
over $500.00.
Like all primitive techniques horse hair vessels are fragile and not waterproof. flowers or plants may be inserted in a water tight glass or plastic container preventing contact with the fragile surface. My covered smoke fired vessels are often used for storing the ashes of loved ones and pets.
|