This jug has survived two wood firings, the first in Elena's kiln (first firing) and the second in mine with the original dry shino glaze being over pained with my white line slip to produce a truly unique surface. It was in prime spot on the middle bag wall, lots of heat and soda funnelling down and creating a fabulous…
A combination of slip, overlaid with glaze, in a great spot in the kiln all make this a special jug. The variation from the fire rushing past, taking some of the copper with it, produces the range of colours, influence by the warm tones of the flashing slip breaking through.
On the top shelf, facing the wicket, the flames and soda swirled around and transformed this high alumina slip, painting a pattern of ochres, reds, browns and greys over the sgraffito decoration scratched in while the slip was still wet and highlighted with black stain.
On the bottom shelf, near the flues, the speed and direction of the flame path ended up painting an image of a flame on the jug. The colour variations and rich tones from the soda reactions with the slip are a perfect reflection of the flames that created the effects.
