Golden Icarus Horsehair Raku Vase

This vase titled, "Golden Icarus," is a stunning example of horsehair raku. Thrown on the potters wheel, this vessel was burnished to a high gloss using a combination of terra sigillata (water infused with superfine clay particles) and gold mica powder. During its initial bisque firing, most of the gold seemingly vanished, until it was fired a second time in a raku kiln.

In a delicate and deliberate process, strands of horsehair, rhea feathers, and sugar were carefully applied to the vessel's hot surface. As these organic elements fused with the clay, they left behind intricate patterns reminiscent of the fiery journey of Icarus, whose audacious flight towards the sun echoes through the ages.

Though the feathers laid upon the vase were consumed by the intense heat, their sacrifice yields a lasting beauty—a testament to the transformative power of creation. Like Icarus himself, they are not truly lost but reborn in a new form, reminding us that nothing truly fades away but evolves into something new and enduring.

Vessel Dimensions

Height: 9"
Width: 2 3/4"
Depth: 4 3/4"

Firing Type: Horsehair Raku