Making Marx

These pieces are prepared by first covering them in a very fine slip called terra sigillata which is then burnished to give the piece a soft sheen.

 

The pieces are then bisque fired to around 950 degrees. After this the pieces are placed either in clay or foil saggars with materials such as sawdust, salt and copper carbonate. They are then fired again in a raku kiln. During this second firing the materials burn and create the distinctive, and sometimes ethereal markings which are synonymous with this process.

 

To finish they are buffed with a cloth and natural beeswax which further enhances the markings and brings out the soft sheen.