Monday, December 6, 2004

Ash Glazes and Meaning- Ash is used in glazes as a flux, basically, to help lower the temperature of when the glaze melts. Ash also imparts its own color and texture on the glaze. Phil Rogers wrote an entire book on ash glazes and how different plants effect the glaze. Here are some images of pots with ash glazes. The kind of tree also imparts a kind of meaning onto the pot. Such meaning may further the meaning of a pots use or form: Apple and Peach tree ash for pie baking dishes. Pine and Fir ash for a Christmas turkey platter. Oak ash for a strong, heavy storage jar. Historically, ash glazes probably came about when potters noticed the tree ash they used in their kilns was fluxing the clay on the surface of their pots. Thus, when folks think of ash glaze, it is mostly tree ash that somes to mind. However, ash comes from many different types things (not just trees) and even particular things. Also, the reason why something turned to ash may be a conceptual component. More this week... 6:33:58 AM