Obavara Vase

By John Guarnera

This is a twelfth century firing process that was thought to be developed in the Baltic region of Europe. The pieces are heated in a kiln to approximately 1500F. They are then removed with tongs from the kiln and dunked in a mixture of flour, sugar, yeast and water, the makings of bread. Immediately, the pieces are then dunked in a bath of clear water to “freeze” the imagery on the surface of the piece. This work is decorative only.