Vintage Studio Art Pottery Stoneware Raku Vase

Raku ware is a type of Japanese pottery traditionally used in tea ceremonies, known for its unique firing process. This involves removing the pottery from the kiln while glowing hot and rapidly cooling it, often in combustible materials like sawdust or newspaper. The rapid cooling and reduction atmosphere created during the process lead to unpredictable and dramatic surface variations, including crackling and vibrant, often metallic, colors within the glaze or clay itself. Raku pottery is typically hand-shaped, fairly porous, and fired at lower temperatures compared to other pottery types. While historically used in Japanese tea ceremonies, modern Raku pottery is generally considered decorative due to its porous nature and potential glaze flaking, making it unsuitable for functional use like holding liquids or food.

The aesthetic of Raku emphasizes chance and process, aligning with Zen principles of simplicity and appreciation for the natural and unpredictable elements involved in its creation. In excellent preowned condition having no chips, cracks, breaks, or repairs.

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