This Square-Shouldered Melon Egg Vase is a form that has been inspired by nature. Altered on the potter's wheel during the wet stage to allow movement in the clay. This form is heavily influenced by the Mei Peng style vases made early in Chinese clay culture and has been made for three generations of Ben’s family. With a modest approach to form that allows the glaze surface to receive the focus of attention, the Egg Vase is one of the most popular forms that Ben enjoys creating.
A beautiful accent to any home or office, this Egg Vase is functional for fresh or dried floral arrangements. Measuring 5.5”w x 7.75”h.
Please Note: What appear to be white spots on the surface are reflections from photo lighting.
The Cobalt Crystalline Glaze series was carefully developed by Ben Owen III over several years. Various glaze materials with the potential to create unique surfaces and patterns were methodically manipulated during test series after test series until crystal formation became somewhat replicable. Many of these crystal formations have been viewed as a comparison of various natural occurrences in the Earth’s environment. Some resemble lichen on stone, lily pads floating along a lake or pond, moss on a tree trunk, and even blue jellyfish floating in deep ocean waters.
To achieve this rare find, the kiln temperature is meticulously controlled as it rises AND as it falls, to encourage crystalline growth at specific temperatures. The glaze is applied by carefully airbrushing multiple layers of complementary glazes. The presence of titanium- and zinc-rich ingredients promotes crystal development, while the pigment cobalt tints the crystals blue and the pigment iron tints the background. We hope you enjoy this one-of-a-kind glaze!
This piece is hand-signed by Ben Owen III with the year made (2024).