Butter dish; Jewellery container; Lidded pot with black and blue glaze; Cufflinks container; Chocolates dish; Pate dish; House warming gift; Container with shiny black and blue glazes

Description

This rounded, stoneware container has many possible functions. It can be used to store food such as confectionery and garlic and can also be used as a dish to hold butter or pate. It is safe for use in dishwashers and microwaves. It can also be used to store jewellery, keys or cufflinks. It is a very decorative piece, with a dramatic combination of shiny black (tenmoku) and iron red glazes. This is not an easy type of pot to make, with problematic elements at every stage. It is thrown in one piece with a deep groove being made to demarcate the lid whilst the pot is still wet. When it is leather-hard, the pot is put back on the wheel and the lid is cut off with a sharp knife. The foot of the pot then is turned, as are the two surfaces that fit together. The piece is then glazed as one piece, often resulting in some sticking during the firing process which requires a firm tap with a wooden stick to open. The pot weighs about 490 grams.