Some years ago, the "in thing" for unglazed terracotta pots (at least in New Zealand) was to put straw or grass onto the pot and refire it so the organic material left black carbon markings on the terracotta surface. A customer had a two piece bird bath where the top got broken and he wants another made to match the base. He has not been able to locate the original potter. I have a faint recollection of reading about the process somewhere but have been unable to find it again. Can anyone help with information on this please. I think it was barley straw that was used and I presume the refiring with the straw on is at a lower temperature (about 750oC??) so the carbon markings don't burn out. Thanks, Hugh
- posted
19 years ago