Silas Bradley's yellow matte gourd mug is born from the wood kiln's transformative fire, where iron and natural ash deposits forge a uniquely textured surface that no two pieces can replicate. This is pottery that honors both the maker's vision and the elements' influence—a tangible reminder that beauty emerges from the marriage of skill and spontaneity. Built for real life, it elevates your everyday moments with genuine craftsmanship and understated sophistication. Perfect for collectors and newcomers alike, this functional vessel brings the soul of handmade ceramics directly into your home. Dishwasher- and microwave-safe. Measuring 4.5"l x 3.25"w x 5.5"h.
Please Note: What appear to be white spots on the surface are reflections from photo lighting.
Ash Glazes
Ash glazes allow us to “let the kiln be the paintbrush” by relying on the wood-firing process as the glazing agent. Most pieces dedicated to Ash glazing are placed in the kiln with little to no glaze applied to the exterior. During the firing process, the wood is stirred occasionally in the firebox to give flight to the flakes of ash that are produced during the firing. Airborne ash flakes cling to the exposed areas of the pot and accumulate over time. As the kiln reaches 2300° Fahrenheit, the accumulated ashes begin to melt and form a natural glaze. When the wood-burning kiln is heated to over 2400 degrees Fahrenheit, the wood ash liquefies and runs down the side of the pot like honey.
Ash may also be layered over other glazes. For example, when Ben was in college, he was introduced to a spraying technique using 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 3 to 4 different colors. A glaze made from ash can be used as a top coating to blend or bleach the underlying colors. Some finishes are a base of an iron yellow with cobalt blue or copper green covering. Other colors of orange to silver can develop from the colors overlapping. No two pieces are exactly alike. Ben frequently places these in the wood kiln to accentuate the colors.
Yellow Matte
The Yellow Matte Glaze was created with the intention of designing a smooth, “soft” surface on the pots that would be a change from the glossy finishes typical in the Owen family of glazes. From looking at surfaces created during the wood firing process, Ben wanted to recreate a similar surface but with the option to make it uniform or add an accent by spraying on the clay surface. The yellow pigment is made from iron oxide and the matte finish is created from the use of magnesium and strontium in the glaze.
Silas Bradley
An apprentice at Ben Owen Pottery since August 2025, Silas crafts a variety of wares for the Tableware Collection. In addition to crafting work for the Pottery, Silas continues to create his own ware, focusing on stoneware pieces rendered unique through the raw unpredictability of atmospheric firings.
A native North Carolinian, Silas Bradley grew up in Clinton and discovered his passion for clay at a young age. Beginning his first apprenticeship at age 16 in Burgaw, NC, Silas immersed himself in the world of clay. This time exposed him to a wide variety of methods and techniques that sparked the development of Silas’ own voice in clay. Having worked in Texas and Montana making pots, Silas settled back in his home state to work further with the practices and traditions of Seagrove.
Silas is part of a new generation of North Carolina potters, eager to converse with longstanding traditions of craftsmanship while paving the way for new creations; with deep respect for tradition, Silas crafts pieces that evoke history and practice. Creating honest forms that are both familiar and new, Silas attempts to write a further line in the continuing story of North Carolina clay.
This piece is hand-signed by Silas Bradley (either “Silas” or “Silas Bradley”).