THE CRYSTALLINE-GLAZE PROCESS

After careful preparation of the porcelain clay through the process of “wedging” in order to rid it of air bubbles, each piece is “thrown” on the potter’s wheel. For each urn, this means the urn, a lid, and a pedestal are all thrown, one at a time.

Excess porcelain is trimmed from each urn and lid using sharp trimming tools, in order to enhance the design and ensure a precise fit. The pedestals and the bottoms of the urns are then sanded evenly in order to create an exact, tight fit, and then lightly glued together.

A small pedestal ring must be thrown to match the exact diameter of the bottom of each urn. These are needed in order to elevate the urns above the kiln shelves.

A “catch tray” is also made for each urn to be placed on for the firing process. The crystalline glaze is very fluid, and the catch trays protect the kiln shelves from run-off glaze.

All pieces, the urn, the lid, the pedestal and the catch tray, are bisque-fired.

The crystalline glaze formulas are made of dry ingredients that are carefully measured before water is added to them. The glazes are then mixed with a mixer to make sure all ingredients are blended thoroughly.

The glaze is applied to the bisqued pieces by dipping, pouring and painting. The glaze is applied in varying degrees of thickness in order to create the beautiful flow of color on each piece.

The pieces are then fired again, this time at a much higher temperature.

The kiln temperature must get up to around 2300 degrees as quickly as possible, and then it is dropped a few hundred degrees for the “soak” time. The kiln must remain at this soaking temperature for 3 to 6 hours in order for the crystals to grow.

After the glaze firing, which can take up to 24 hours from start to finish, the pieces are removed and the pedestal and catch trays are carefully detached.

The bottom of the urn is then smoothed by placing it on a diamond-enhanced grinding wheel.

A beautiful brushed-brass base is attached to the bottom of each urn, and a brushed-brass finial is added to each lid.

The result? A beautiful, one-of-a-kind, Jerry Davis crystalline-glazed porcelain urn. Like snowflakes, no two are ever exactly alike. Each piece has its own unique pattern of crystals, provided by the magic of Nature’s most basic elements: earth, water and fire.