RAKU
Steeped in history, Raku firing is a method of making pottery as an intricate and abstract art form. Unpredictable and uncontrollable, the beauty of Raku firing dates back to 16th-century Japan, and its natural firing process relies on the elements of fire, air, earth and water. The inconsistent and entirely random beauty of a Raku clay object is created purely by chance, unencumbered by human interference.
Domani’s Raku pottery is shaped and moulded rather than thrown. It is then baked at a lower temperature than is typically used when making ceramics. Whether glazed or not, the pottery is taken out of the kiln and quickly exposed to combustible materials during a rapid cooling process, which is what creates its signature shades and patterns.
When our Raku clay pieces are removed from the kiln, they are exposed to coal that rapidly ignites. The porous clay absorbs the smoke during combustion, causing the distinctive dark hues on the unglazed sections of the pieces. The ensuing rapid cooling makes the glaze crack into a myriad of veins, creating a pattern that is unique to each and every piece.
