The Oldest Method of Firing Ceramics

The Oldest Method of Firing Clay

I employ one of the most ancient techniques for firing clay. I manually dig deep pits, over a meter deep, lining them with wood. In an alchemical process, the rising smoke imbues the clay with an extraordinary coloration, blending earthy hues in an organic interplay of fire and material. The firing process itself lasts several hours.

The Element of Risk

Each piece is fired only once, never in an electric kiln—always directly in the earth. This makes the process far more complex and unpredictable. Unlike in a kiln, where temperature can be precisely controlled, here, there is no such possibility.

Weather Dependency

The success of the firing also depends on the weather. If the ground is wet, the process becomes impossible, adding yet another element of unpredictability to the craft.

Natural Colors

No glazes or pigments are used. The final colors arise solely from the fire and organic materials—herbs and plant peels—that are placed around the clay objects during firing.

Texture and Form

The surface of the objects varies—it may be rough and matte, irregularly glossy, or softly reflective. Before firing, the artist sometimes polishes the surface with a small stone, enhancing its unique texture. The result is a collection of one-of-a-kind ceramic objects, balancing between sculpture and functional art.

Handcrafted Process

Each vessel is sculpted by hand using the coiling technique—one of the oldest ceramic methods, predating the invention of the potter’s wheel.

My objects are the opposite of mass production. Each vessel is an experiment. I use natural, local materials and traditional, small-scale production methodsMy ceramics are deeply connected to the place where they are made – a village in Silesia. I dig pits for firing and use locally available materials.

This handcrafted, local approach minimizes the environmental impact compared to industrial mass production.

Zero Waste

I use wood waste from production for firing. Although pit firing is a traditional method, it is energy-intensive. However, using wood as fuel instead of fossil energy aligns with more sustainable practices.