Material

During this ‘grand feu’ firing at 2850F, the clays that make up its refined body become vitrified (the state at which the china and glaze melts and fuses together to form non-porous ware) and allows stoneware to reach the status of ‘noble ceramic”.

We could list all the reasons why stoneware gets this distinction but this would be long but it is unique to Jars. It is certainly the most resistant and the most natural ceramic material.

Thanks to this high fire and vitrification process stoneware recalls how rock was formed some millions of years ago with the trilogy of “earth, water and fire”.

As if it was a living thing stoneware comes from nature and is returned to it.

Hand made

At Jars all our making, glazing, finishing and handling, and know-how of the material and even its hazards are the basics of a long learning process. Our hand-made skills are evident throughout:

In making a perfectly refined clay mix.
In casting the pieces.
In sponging and fettling edges and rims.
In applying the colored glaze.
In stacking ware in the kilns and taking it out.

For sorting by touch, feel and sight to control quality.

So many of these workshop secrets are proudly shared between one ceramicist to another.