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Defined by a thick-bodied base and a shallow bowl form, this piece exhibits a high-fired granular clay texture—often referred to as a “heat-blistered” clay body—formed under exceptionally high firing temperatures. The dense clay body gives the piece a pronounced weight in hand, reflecting its high iron content and firing intensity.
Firmament is The Phoenix Kiln’s exclusive dragon-kiln wood-fired oil-spot Jian Zhan series. Developed through long-term collaboration with the artist’s studio, the series explores how classic oil-spot crystallization forms under authentic wood-firing conditions.
In this piece, the thick clay body and shallow profile concentrate heat more directly during firing, bringing the material close to its thermal limit. The resulting granular surface is a natural outcome of extreme kiln conditions, rather than a controlled or repeatable effect.
Within a traditional dragon kiln, temperature distribution, flame movement, and kiln position vary across chambers, influencing how iron crystals develop within the glaze. This produces natural variation in oil-spot density, scale, and depth—an inherent characteristic of true wood-fired Jian Zhan.
Handmade in Shuiji Town, Jianyang, Fujian, using local iron-rich clay and traditional mineral glazes, each piece reflects the interaction between iron, flame, and kiln atmosphere during high-temperature dragon-kiln firing.
Technical Specifications
• Kiln Type: Partitioned dragon kiln, wood-fired
• Firing Temperature: Approximately 1350 °C
• Firing Cycle: Approximately 20 days preparation, 3 days firing
• Kiln Atmosphere: Alternating oxidation and reduction
• Forming Method: Fully hand-thrown
• Trimming Method: Fully hand-trimmed
• Clay Source: Native clay from Shuiji Town, Jianyang, Fujian
• Clay Iron Content: >10%
• Glaze Type: Iron-based mineral glaze
• Glaze Source: Native mineral glaze from Shuiji Town, Jianyang, Fujian
• Glaze Crystallization Depth: Surface crystallization
• Glaze Category: Oil-spot
• Work Attribute: Individually numbered work, exclusive limited release
• Origin: Shuiji Town, Jianyang, Fujian, China
Details
• Diameter: 10.1 cm (3.98 in)
• Height: 5.9 cm (2.32 in)
• Capacity: 130 ml (4.4 fl oz)
• Weight: 320 g (11.3 oz)
• Note:
– Capacity measured close to the rim; for use, fill about 70% full.
– All measurements are taken by hand; slight variation may occur.
In the Box
• Rosewood Collector’s Box with Concealed Mechanism
• Double-Layer Cotton Tea Towel
• Collector’s Brochure with Certificate — artisan-signed, sealed, and individually numbered
• Care Instruction Card
• Disposable LED Mini Light
