pia sillem pottery

Through the Fire…

‘Wood-Fired’ is a term generally used to describe pottery which has been fired in a kiln fueled with wood, usually to a temperature of between 1000 and 1300 degrees celsius. The fire must be tended and stoked throughout the entire length of the firing, which may last up to ten days. During the firing, ‘fly-ash’ from the fire is drawn into the chamber, settling and eventually fluxing and melting to form a natural ash glaze on the surface of the pots. The position of each piece in the kiln will determine just how much ash settles on it, and consequently how much of a glaze or “flashing” is achieved on its surface. These unique effects, which cannot be achieved or duplicated in any other way, give the pottery its unique “alive” look.

The Anagama Kiln
This tunnel like kiln was developed in Japan as early as 800 years ago. China , Korea and Japan were the first countries to use these kilns for the production of commercial ware.

Wood
Wood is procured by felling trees, collecting mill-ends, or gathering wind-fall. It is chopped, split and then stacked under cover to dry. The firings will require four or more chords of wood, depending on the length of the firing.

Potters
Potters must be organized a few months ahead of the firing in order to produce pots. Space is limited, so each potter is invariably allotted an equal amount of space within the kiln. Potters organize their lives for the period of the firing, arranging lodgings and preparing foods for the communal meals.

Loading
Two days are spend loading the kiln. Each pot must be “wadded” with a high refractory clay to prevent the pot from fusing with the kiln shelf. This wadding is a typical signature of a wood-fired pot, called “wadding marks”.

Firing
Finally the front door is bricked up and the kiln is lit. Stoking commences and typically continues for up to 150 hours. The potters are organized into two or three groups of 3-5 people to work in shifts of 8-12 hours. This communal process is laden with constant decision-making and vagaries of group dynamics.

Cooling
After six and a half days, the kiln is closed up and left alone to slowly cool off. The cooling of the kiln takes up to a week.

Now for the excitement of unloading as everyone returns to the kiln after a week’s absence! Each firing is different and always something new is discovered. There is an element of uncertainty and experimentation in the wood fire process, which is a mirror of the potter’s personality.

All wood fire potters would agree that it is not just the firing itself which is important but the whole experience of being involved in every aspect of the firing; preparing the wood, making pots, preparing food, and packing the kiln. Most exciting of all is being part of a group of people, with all efforts concentrated on a single goal.

the potters

kiln at night after the firing the unloading


	anagama kiln	loading	stoking	night stoking	firing
	Through the Fire… ‘Wood-Fired’ is a term generally used to describe pottery which has been fired in a kiln fueled with wood, usually to a temperature of between 1000 and 1300 degrees celsius. The fire must be tended and stoked throughout the entire length of the firing, which may last up to ten days. During the firing, ‘fly-ash’ from the fire is drawn into the chamber, settling and eventually fluxing and melting to form a natural ash glaze on the surface of the pots. The position of each piece in the kiln will determine just how much ash settles on it, and consequently how much of a glaze or “flashing” is achieved on its surface. These unique effects, which cannot be achieved or duplicated in any other way, give the pottery its unique “alive” look. The Anagama Kiln This tunnel like kiln was developed in Japan as early as 800 years ago. China , Korea and Japan were the first countries to use these kilns for the production of commercial ware. Wood Wood is procured by felling trees, collecting mill-ends, or gathering wind-fall. It is chopped, split and then stacked under cover to dry. The firings will require four or more chords of wood, depending on the length of the firing. Potters Potters must be organized a few months ahead of the firing in order to produce pots. Space is limited, so each potter is invariably allotted an equal amount of space within the kiln. Potters organize their lives for the period of the firing, arranging lodgings and preparing foods for the communal meals. Loading Two days are spend loading the kiln. Each pot must be “wadded” with a high refractory clay to prevent the pot from fusing with the kiln shelf. This wadding is a typical signature of a wood-fired pot, called “wadding marks”. Firing Finally the front door is bricked up and the kiln is lit. Stoking commences and typically continues for up to 150 hours. The potters are organized into two or three groups of 3-5 people to work in shifts of 8-12 hours. This communal process is laden with constant decision-making and vagaries of group dynamics. Cooling After six and a half days, the kiln is closed up and left alone to slowly cool off. The cooling of the kiln takes up to a week. Now for the excitement of unloading as everyone returns to the kiln after a week’s absence! Each firing is different and always something new is discovered. There is an element of uncertainty and experimentation in the wood fire process, which is a mirror of the potter’s personality. All wood fire potters would agree that it is not just the firing itself which is important but the whole experience of being involved in every aspect of the firing; preparing the wood, making pots, preparing food, and packing the kiln. Most exciting of all is being part of a group of people, with all efforts concentrated on a single goal. the potters