This original, hand-thrown fine art vessel is a masterful showcase of the highly dramatic matte copper raku technique. Pulled from the kiln at a glowing heat of nearly 1,650°F, the piece was instantly transitioned into a reduction chamber filled with combustible organic materials. By tightly controlling the oxygen deprivation during this critical flash-reduction window, the copper-infused glaze transformed to produce a breathtaking, multi-dimensional surface of deep, volcanic tones.
Named "Shark Tooth Raku," the vessel features striking, sharp geometric variations and a textured finish that echoes the primal ruggedness of its namesake. Brilliant flashes of iridescent copper, deep bronze, fiery crimson, and subtle plum ripple across the unglazed, matte finish. Because the vivid metallic colors depend entirely on the specific atmosphere of the reduction chamber, the complex, shifting hues on this vessel are completely unrepeatable—making it a singular, highly collectible object of contemporary ceramic art.
Provenance
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Artist: Zane Kuhle (Zane Artworks)
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Origin: Hand-built and fired at the artist’s studio in Palm Harbor, Florida, USA.
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Authentication: Signed and certified with the artist's unique maker's mark permanently impressed into the footer of the wet clay prior to bisque firing.
Collector's Care Instructions
Matte copper raku is an alternative, low-fire ceramic process that leaves the clay body porous and the metallic surface uniquely active. Please follow these museum-quality conservation guidelines to preserve its dramatic colors:
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Display: This vessel is intended strictly for decorative art display. It is not water-tight and cannot hold liquids.
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Cleaning: To dust or clean the surface, use only a dry, soft microfiber cloth or a soft-bristled brush. Never submerge the piece in water, apply liquid cleaners, or use abrasive detergents, as moisture can disrupt the delicate copper layer.
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Environment: To maintain the intensity of the matte copper reduction colors over time, display the piece indoors away from prolonged, intense direct sunlight and high-humidity areas, as oxygen and UV exposure can gradually cause the copper to oxidize further.
