I
was reminded about this teabowl bowl recently with the new tests I am carrying
out that are using manganese/cobalt glaze applied over the Oribe. In the
illustrated teabowl I was using slips with a fair amount of iron, manganese and
cobalt under the glaze and it would produce a slightly runny surface with a rich
iridescent sheen where the slip was placed. This particular Oribe formula was
one of the first ones that I used seriously and had less copper and no iron in
the formula which made a less intense and vibrant surface so the use of the
slip helped activate and bring the surface to life. I can not remember exactly
when this bowl was made but I suspect it was well over a decade ago and was
part of a set ordered from a tea practitioner of which this bowl was a spare. I
was much more timid with what I would do to a glaze back that I was testing back then adding tiny
increments and alterations as opposed to today when I figure, what the h3ll, it
is only ceramic alchemy and since I am using neither plutonium (Pu) or uranium
(U), what harm can come of being a bit bolder?
"Who
bravely dares must sometimes risk a fall."
Tobias Smollett
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