- Raku: the Japanese ancestral art
Raku is an ancient Japanese pottery technique that dates back over 400 years. Originally, this technique was used to produce tea bowls for the tea ceremony. Raku was considered a humble and simple art that reflected the values of wabi-sabi, a Japanese philosophy that finds beauty in imperfection and simplicity. Today, Raku is used to create unique pieces of art, which are highly valued around the world.
- Maison Annabi, a unique collection of Raku statues
At Maison Annabi, we are proud to offer you a collection of Raku statues that showcase the techniques and traditions of this ancient Japanese art. Each piece is unique and has been carefully selected for its beauty and quality. Whether you are a collector or simply looking for a unique piece of art for your home, we are confident that you will find something special at Maison Annabi.
We work with talented and experienced craftsmen who have a great passion for Raku and who respect traditional manufacturing techniques. We are proud to support their work and promote this ancestral art to our customers.
If you are interested in Raku art and want to learn more about our collection of statues, please feel free to browse our website or contact us. We'll be happy to answer any questions you have and help you find the perfect piece for your home or collection.
- The Raku Manufacturing Process
The Raku manufacturing process begins with the preparation of clay, which is worked by hand to create the desired shape for the ceramic piece. Then the piece is dried for several days before being fired for the first time at a high temperature of around 1000°C. After the first firing, the piece is removed from the kiln with tongs and immediately placed in a tray filled with organic matter such as straw or wood shavings.
This creates a thermal shock which causes cracks in the glaze and gives each piece its unique appearance. Once the piece has cooled, it is removed from the bin and cleaned to remove organic residue. Then, it is placed in a second oven for a second firing at a lower temperature of around 800°C. This second firing is called the post-sintering firing, which stabilizes the part and makes it more resistant.
- The glaze, an important characteristic of Raku
The glaze is one of the most important characteristics of Raku. Before firing, it is applied to the ceramic pieces and is what gives each piece its unique appearance. The glaze is often composed of natural materials such as ash, feldspar and clay, which are mixed together to create different colors and textures. After firing, the glaze cracks and cracks, creating a unique and authentic look.
- The cooling technique, a crucial stage of Raku
Another important Raku technique is the cooling technique. After firing, the pieces are removed from the kiln with tongs and immediately placed in bins filled with organic material such as straw or wood shavings. This creates a thermal shock which causes cracks in the glaze and gives each piece its unique appearance.
- Sigillata technique in combination with Raku
Sigillata, also known as Roman sigillata, is a technique for decorating pottery that was developed by the ancient Romans. This technique involves the use of molds to imprint designs or letters on the still soft pottery before firing. After the pottery is fired, the patterns or letters appear embossed on the surface of the pottery.
The term "sigilla" comes from the Latin "sigillum", which means seal or imprint. The molds used for this technique are often made of stone or terracotta and can be decorated with intricate designs such as human figures, animals or geometric patterns.
Sigilla is often associated with Roman ceramics from the 1st century AD, which were used for tableware and objects of worship. This technique was later adapted by other cultures throughout history, including medieval potters in Europe and Native American artisans in North America.
Today sigillata is often associated with more modern pottery production methods, such as Raku, which use similar firing techniques to produce unique and decorative pieces of pottery.
Maison Annabi has selected unique pieces in sigillata for you. Our Minotaur will not leave you indifferent.
