OT: French Butter Keeper

CTMike

My uncle’s first Anagama was called the Dragon Kiln, and he was profiled on the local PBS station here:

https://video.kqed.org/video/oregon-art-beat-season-10-episode-23/

The first 10 minutes is devoted to Richard, the dragon kiln, and the community involved with it. It amazes me that most pieces go in to the kiln white, and the color all comes from the ash from the various different species of wood used in the firing. 

He did a residency in New Zealand with some Māori potters (called Muddies). When the kiln needed to be rebuilt, (he used the whale skeleton that I showed in a previous post), some of the Muddies came over for the first firing. The Māori christened the kiln “Ahikaaroa,” which evidently means “long ago fire.” 

Anyhow, I sent an email to ask if he would consider adding a few more butter keepers in his next firing, and what the price might be. I will post the answer when I get it. 

CTMike

PMs sent to those who expressed interest in one of these from my Uncle. If anyone else is interested, the price is $60 (shipping included), and they would ship sometime late January/early February. Also, he has no control over the finished coloring. The pieces go in to the anagama white - all of the color comes from the ash and smoke of the various woods used to fire the kiln. 

If seriously interested please send me a PM. 

CTMike

So I just heard back from my Aunt. For butter bells fired in the Anagama kiln, that isn’t getting fired again till April. 

If anyone wants one sooner (the late Jan/early Feb timeframe I mentioned), those would be fired in his traditional electric kiln. 

Buckwoody Egger

thanks for sharing this.  great thread 

Ozzie_Isaac

DM sent, I’m fine waiting for either, but the Anagram Kiln would be super cool and April is just a hop skip and a jump away

fishlessman

I'm good for the old kiln, don't mind the wait. Would me nice for a pic of the kiln too to frame. Would pay for that too

Legume

Same, the finish on the whale kiln is worth waiting for.

CTMike

UPDATE: I checked in with my Aunt and Uncle about these butter keepers and the next firing of the Anagama. He is still planning on doing the firing the end of April/Early May. 

So far I have the following folks wanting one of these:

- @caliking
- @fishlessman
- @Legume
- @Ozzie_Isaac

If anyone else is interested, the price is $60, and includes shipping. Please let me know if anyone else is interested in the next couple weeks, as space in the kiln is filling up (he has a whole community that uses his during the quarterly firings).

Elijah

I'm in for one. A bell is my favorite butter accessory and the story makes it better. 

CTMike

Adding @Elijah and @OhioEgger (sorry for overlooking you) to the list. 

Ozzie_Isaac

Looking forward to it …. I would be interested in 2 actually.

RRP

Mike - I have been trying to find the picture(s) of yours and for some reason I can't pull up link. Mind showing it again or grabbing the link yourself? Thanks!

CTMike

RRP said:

Mike - I have been trying to find the picture(s) of yours and for some reason I can't pull up link. Mind showing it again or grabbing the link yourself? Thanks!

CTMike

fishlessman said:

I'm good for the old kiln, don't mind the wait. Would me nice for a pic of the kiln too to frame. Would pay for that too

I'll see what I can do about a photo. 

CTMike

Updated list:

- @caliking
- @fishlessman
- @Legume
- @Ozzie_Isaac (2)
- @Elijah
- @dbCooper
- @OhioEgger

CTMike

As an update my Uncle tells me he has room for 10
of these in the next firing, and 9 are spoken for (we are gifting one to my son and DIL).  

If there is one more person interested let me know,
otherwise he will sell it in his gallery. 

Thanks all. 

Gandolf

If I’m not too late count me in. 

CTMike

Ok,

So @gandolf completes the list for the spring firing. As we get nearer I will send each of you a PM with details on how to make payments to him.

He usually does at least 3 firings per year so there may be another opportunity if there is more interest.  

Thanks all.