What is Obvara firing?
Obvara, sometimes called Baltic Raku, is an Eastern European firing technique originated in the Baltic region. The hot (1650 degree) piece of pottery is taken out of the kiln and quickly immersed into a fermented liquid, made with water, flour, yeast, and sugar.
What is Obvara pottery?
Obvara pottery, sometimes referred to as “Baltic Raku” is a simple and primitive ceramic technique that is akin to traditional raku firing and frequently used by pit fire, barrel kiln and saggar fire practitioners. But obvara firing is unique enough to hold a place of it’s own.
How do you make Obvara?
This is my version of the obvara liquid: Mix 1 kg flour / 1 or 2 sachets dried yeast / 1 tablespoon sugar and 8 – 10 litres warm water – leave covered in a warm place for 3 days, (though in warmer countries it seems to work sooner) – stir frequently.
How do you saggar a fire?
For saggars for larger pots he suggests using two shallow bowls for the top and bottom of the saggar, and adjusting the height of the saggar by placing rings of thrown clay between the bowls. He punches holes in the rims of his saggars to allow airflow, and fires to 1600 degrees F (870 degrees C) in about an hour.
What are firing techniques?
Firing Techniques
- General.
- Backing Fire.
- Strip-heading Fire.
- Flanking Fire.
- Spot Fires (point source fires)
- Aerial Ignition.
- Center and Circular (Ring) Firing.
- Pile and Windrow Burning.
What is milk firing?
The obvara firing process, which originated in Eastern Europe around the 12th Century, involves scalding the finish on the pottery to seal the porous surface. Similar to the raku pottery process, a bisqued pot is heated, in this case to 1650°F (899°C) and removed from the heat.
How do you seal raku pottery?
Sealing raku pottery vessels is done by pouring the liquid quartz into the vase. This is then left for around 20 seconds, and then the remaining liquid can be poured back into the container.
Can you saggar firing in an electric kiln?
We typically fire these saggars in a raku kiln, but can be done in an electric or a pit. We pack the kiln with pieces ensuring there is airflow around each piece.
Can you fire clay with armature wire?
Kanthal A-1 High Temp Wire can be fired in a kiln, with a melting point of 2730 degrees F. it can be used as a decorative accent on pottery, as loops for kiln fired jewelry, or as an armature wire to support beads or small objects during firing. Select your wire gauge and length above.
What are 2 types of firing besides electric kiln firing?
TYPES OF FIRING: OXIDATION, REDUCTION, SALT, WOOD, RAKU. Oxidation firing is typically done in an electric kiln, but can also be done in a gas kiln. Oxygen is free to interact with the glazes when firing. Oxidation firing allow very bright, rich colors.
How do I seal pottery?
Place plastic sheeting or a dropcloth on a flat surface in a well-ventilated area.
How does the firing of obvara pottery work?
The obvara firing process, which originated in Eastern Europe around the 12th Century, involves scalding the finish on the pottery to seal the porous surface. Similar to the raku pottery process, a bisqued pot is heated, in this case to 1650°F (899°C) and removed from the heat.
When did Marcia Selsor start the obvara firing process?
Finished pots fired with the obvara firing technique, by Marcia Selsor The obvara firing process, which originated in Eastern Europe around the 12th Century, involves scalding the finish on the pottery to seal the porous surface.
What was the temperature of the first obvara firing?
Obvara firing is an ancient traditional Russian and Eastern European technique dating back some 500 years. The pots are first heated to a temperature of around 1650 degrees F.
What kind of clay do you use to make obvara?
As Obvara works in the same way as raku, you must use clay (with grog) that can handle the heat as it’s fired at a very high temperature. The pot is then put into a bisque firing and heated to around 1650 F, then taken out while still burning hot, as with raku.