Ben III’s Cobalt glaze settles well in the intentional lines and beautifully contrasts the grey-green colors that develop naturally from the applied Ash and Salt glazes. Unusual, titanium-rich micro-crystals have formed within the glaze during the cooling process along one side of this bowl. These micro-crystals are visible in the second photo shown. Truly a one-of-a-kind piece of art, this Nautilus Flair Bowl will bring to joy to any home or office. Measuring 7.5”dia. x 3”h.
Please Note: What appear to be white spots on the surface are reflections from photo lighting.
Multi-Layered Glazes
While Ben III was in college in the 1990s, he was introduced to a spraying technique with an air-driven spray gun that some potters use to build up layers of glazes on the clay surface. With some experimenting, he was able to create a variety of finishes using accents of three or four different colors and using an ash glaze as a top coat to blend or bleach the underlying colors. Some finishes are a base of iron yellow with cobalt blue or copper green covering with orange to silver developing from the overlapping colors. Each pot is unique. As a similar process to Natural Ash Glazes, Ben III frequently places these finishes in the wood kiln to accentuate the colors as well.
Salt Glaze
Salt Glaze was first discovered by German potters in the late 14th century. The pieces can be handled and decorated with clay slips of many different colors, or, glazed partially with Cobalt Blue Glaze. Salt introduced to the kiln near the end of the firing can create a surface on the pots that may resemble the texture of an orange peel. This was an early glaze used by settlers during the 19th century in the Seagrove area.
This piece is hand-signed by Ben Owen III with year made (1997), and, is part of our "Pots From the Past" release. An extraordinary NC pottery treasure to add to your collection!