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You’ve found the selection of Andrew M Kontrabecki’s finest woodfired Ceramic wares. Andrew has been working with the Woodfire technique {hyperlink?} since 1994 with his most recent firing being the December2024/January2025 firing at RockRoseStudio [<hyperlink?]
Originally a Chinese and Korean process thousands of years ago, then adapted and appropriated by Japanese potters, the woodfires happening today are largely unchanged from ones of the past. While the actual stoking of fire happens to last between 7-10 days, avid wood fire enthusiasts realize that a good successful woodfire takes more like several months to a year to prepare for. It may be easy to understand the making of wares, the loading of those pieces and the attention of each stoking shift working 24 hours a day over the entire course of the firing. The part even some seasoned potter’s might miss is the procurement and processing of the correct quality and quantity of wood needed to fire. That part of the process while essential can easily take the longest amount of time.
The available pieces showcased here have been fired at RockRose since 2020.
Please thoroughly read through each description as Andrew has lovingly provided as many descriptors as he could so you’re ensured to find the piece that best suits your fancy. Any dimensions provided are estimations and may vary ever-so slightly.
Special notes have been provided as how one might interact with any woodfired wares. Consideration for rims where lips might purse for sipping, handles where fingers might grace and surfaces that could vary from silky/glassy smooth to dry or rough to the touch. Woodfiring Ceramic occasionally provides an opportunity for appreciating certain wabi-sabi organic elements.
Characteristics of wabi-sabi aesthetics and principles include asymmetry, roughness, simplicity, economy, austerity, modesty, intimacy, and the appreciation of both natural objects and the forces of nature.
Lastly, every listed product in this collection is meant to be used in everyday life, unless specifically mentioned in its name or description. Feel free to reach out with questions if you have any.
