Making lustre
Lustre usually requires three firings: the first ("biscuit") to harden the clay and
the second to fire the glaze, usually blank at this stage. The work is then decorated
using clay pigments containing metal compounds, usually of silver and copper. The
third firing is to a low temperature - red heat - when the kiln is starved of oxygen
and the pigments are chemically "reduced" to base metals.Many sensitive variables of temperature, atmosphere and air movement govern the final result. Potter and kiln both contribute to the outcome in partnership. Spectacular iridescent and smoke effects may magically appear if one is lucky. The failure rate is high and prize results are always accompanied by disappointments!
Nick's work is usually hand-thrown, brush-decorated and fired at least three times. The reduction firing is achieved using willow wood as fuel. His work is intended to be decorative but may have occasional functional use.
