Crystalline Sake or Whiskey Pitcher - Handmade Pottery - Dark Turquoise Background 2024 - Blue and Green Macrocrystals

This crystalline pitcher was handmade, specifically wheel-thrown. The glaze formed beautiful green crystals on a dark turquoise background. If you are not familiar with this type of glaze, you may be interested to learn about the challenge of creating this one of a kind pottery:

Crystals may occur if the glaze is fluid enough to allow molecules to move and hot enough, long enough, for the molecules to arrange themselves in structured strings or crystals. But it is a challenge!

Glazes in the same kiln load with the same ingredients sometimes produce crystals and sometimes don't. There is no way to predict where and how large the crystals will grow. Because the glaze is very fluid, the pots must be set on a pedestal and then in a cache basin to avoid ruining the kiln shelves.

Separating the pedestal from the pot is painstaking and can lead to broken pots! Afterwards, the foot of the pot must be ground smooth since invariably a bit of the glaze breaks sharply. It is thrilling when it all works and a one-of-a-kind object is revealed. Enjoy!

By the way, the crystalline glaze is on the exterior of the pots, a 2024 more stable, food-safe glaze is on the interior. Experts in crystalline glazes have informed me that these are dishwasher safe, though certainly hand washing wouldn't hurt!

The pitcher is about 3.25" x 4.25" high. It holds about 10 ounces.