Edo Jars are forms made by Ben Owen III that have a design heavily influenced by his time spent in Japan studying the Edo period in Japanese culture. A beveled line across the lower mid-portion of this jar creates a resting place for the eyes and accentuates Ben III's artistic angles. The combed lines that were carved into the clay surface during the "leather hard" stage of drying allowed a fluid movement of the ash glaze across the bottle. Along its journey, the ash glaze picked up the cobalt pigment and encouraged a flow of movement for the rich colorant. A perfect example of "letting the kiln be the paintbrush"! A beautiful accent piece to a grouping or standalone centerpiece. Can hold water for displaying fresh flowers. Measuring 7.25”w x 12.25"h.
Please Note: What appear to be white spots on the surface are reflections from photo lighting.
Multi-Layer 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 covered 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.
This piece is hand-signed by Ben Owen III with the year made (2025).