raku by jim sweeney

Each raku vase is a one-of-a-kind piece, created by using an ancient Japanese firing technique. The pottery is pulled from the kiln while red-hot and placed in a chamber with combustible materials, creating unpredictable textures, crackles, and smoky effects.

Due to the rapid temperature changes, raku vases are often not water-tight and are best used for decorative purposes or with dried flowers.

This labor-intensive and risky process, with higher rate of breakage, is what makes each raku piece more rare and valuable than standard ceramics.