Details
The ancient tradition of handcrafting Flame Pots like this one can be traced back to the middle Jomon period ( 3500BC-2500BC) in the area that is now modern Niigata prefecture in central Honshu. Flame Pots are just one type of ceramic tradition that make up the enduring Jomon period in Japan that continued for around 13000 years. During this time, many ancient treasures were hand formed by expert hands, including the vessel that inspired this replica.
This was a time of bustling villages made up of subterranean thatched dwellings arranged in a radial pattern around an open area that made up the heart of the community. Were we to enter one of these dwellings, we would find the heath fire glowing welcomingly, warming the residents within as they prepared and cooked their meal. Surprisingly, we would find not humble, plain cooking pots in use; instead, this community often used elaborately decorated vessels to cook their food. We know this because these ancient artworks often have carbonised food on the internal surface.
The achievements of these ancient potters are outstanding. They worked in a time without modern ceramic technology, a time without the potter's wheel or kilns, but produced works that are of equal quality and beauty.
We made this exquisite Flame Pot as part of our work with the new Circle of Stones Exhibition, which is now on show at the Stonehenge visitors centre. As part of the preparations for the exhibition, we were lucky enough to make a special visit to The British Museum, London, where we handled the original vessel. It was a huge honour and a great help in developing our understanding of how these vessels were made.
Many thanks to Susan Greaney and Simon Kaner for their help in facilitating our visit to see the flame pots at the British Museum and for providing us with additional information throughout the project.
Limited Edition* - There is only one of these beauties available.
Period
Middle Jomon period, around 3000 BCE. From Dodaira, Tsunan, Niigata prefecture, Japan.
Materials
Smoke fired Terracotta
Dimensions
Approx. - Height 420 mm, diameter 400 mm
Production
Completely hand-built from clays similar to that used by the original potters, this vessel has been fired in a wood fire to emulate the original's surface colouration. When there is evidence of potters' tool use, I have replicated such tools using stone, wood, shell, bone, and antler, based on information gained from marks on original artefacts.
Firing
We have fired this pot to emulate the ancient firing conditions. The original pot was fired in an open wood fire, in close contact with the fuel, a process that leaves its mark on the clay as variations in the surface colour. However, the low temperatures achieved in open firings also result in relatively weak pots, so this pot has been fired to a somewhat higher temperature to strengthen it, in a unique firing process that allows me to achieve an authentic appearance to the pot.
Health & Safety
This pot is a Museum Quality Replica made using the tools and techniques that ancient potters would have used during this era. As this is an unglazed pot with a porous surface, it will absorb some of the flavours during the cooking process, adding to the taste of future dishes. However, it does also mean that this pot does not meet modern Health and Safety standards; therefore, we do not advise that it be used for cooking. When ancient cooks cooked in these pots, they relied on applying sufficient heat to the pot and contents to ensure that the heat killed all bacteria. Heating to over 70°C for at least 10 minutes would have killed most disease-causing bacteria, and temperatures of 100°C would do even more. If you attempt to use this pot for cooking, you are VERY likely to break it. Do you want to be responsible for the destruction of this fantastic object?
Postage
We send all items using a second-class postal service; if you wish to have an item sent first-class, please contact me for a quote. Many Thanks
* Limit Edition items we make in very small numbers each year for public sale. The numbers made per year will generally be five or fewer.
