What is wood-fired ash glaze? How does flame shape one-of-a-kind ceramics?
Some ceramic glazes derive their color from pre-mixed formulations, while others are created through the combined effects of flame, wood ash, and a prolonged firing process. Wood-fired ash glaze belongs to the latter category. Its most captivating aspect is not merely its natural color, but also that each piece preserves the marks of its position in the kiln, the direction of the flame, and the falling ash.
Ash Glaze is Not Painted Color
During wood firing, burning wood continuously produces ash. Fine wood ash moves with the flames inside the kiln, settling on the surface of the high-temperature clay body and reacting with mineral components in the clay. With sufficient temperature and time, the ash gradually melts, forming a natural glaze layer. It may exhibit soft grey-green, warm brown, golden yellow, or varying shades of luster, with the specific outcome depending on the wood, clay material, temperature, and kiln atmosphere.
Why No Two Pieces from the Same Kiln are Identical
Whether a piece is closer to or further from the firebox, its orientation towards or away from the flame, and the obstruction of airflow by surrounding pieces, all affect the amount of ash deposited. Even if two pieces use the same clay and are fired in the same kiln, their surfaces will display different colors and textures. Therefore, wood firing does not aim for absolute uniformity; rather, it is an unrepeatable process completed by the creator in collaboration with fire.
Fire and Ash in the Elephant Incense Burner
Qiwu Plus's Elephant Incense Burner is hand-sculpted from coarse earthenware, hollow inside, and comes with a separate base. The small hat on the elephant's head adds a touch of theatricality, while its substantial body retains the inherent weight of the clay. The piece uses natural pine ash glaze and undergoes several days of wood firing. Color variations left by the flames unfurl along the contours of the body, giving the sculpture both the approachability of an animal and the serene quality of a mineral surface.
When in use, the incense burner produces new smoke and aroma, while its wood-fired surface has already recorded another fire. Daily use and firing memories converge on the same object, distinguishing it from ordinary decorative pieces.
Understanding Ash Deposits, Color Variations, and Kiln Effects
The common variations in shade, localized flow, and differences on the flame-facing side of ash glazes should not be simply misunderstood as uneven coloring. When observing, you can rotate the piece to see how the glaze color changes with the contours, and also note the transition between rough and smooth surfaces. These details help us interpret the direction and temperature the piece experienced inside the kiln.
Display and Care for Wood-Fired Ceramics
When displaying, choose a location with stable light that allows viewing from multiple angles. To clean the sculpture's surface, gently dust with a soft, dry brush; avoid using strong cleaning agents and ensure small decorative parts are not subjected to impact. When used as an incense burner, place it on a heat-resistant, stable surface, away from flammable materials, and supervise it during use.
The value of wood-fired ash glaze lies not in packaging chance as mystery, but in its authentic preservation of the combined results of material, time, and flame. Each piece is like an irreversible record of its firing.