The raven has long stood as a symbol of mystery, transformation, and intelligence—an omen of change that bridges the worlds of life and the unknown—and a raku-fired raven cabochon amplifies those meanings through its creation: the raku process, with its rapid firing, smoke-driven reduction, and unpredictable surface effects, mirrors the raven’s association with metamorphosis and the acceptance of uncertainty. In jewelry, a raku raven cabochon carries dual narratives: the bird’s cultural roles as messenger, guardian, and trickster, and the raku finish’s tactile records of heat, crackle, and metallic luster, which together create a piece that speaks to resilience, personal evolution, and the beauty found in imperfect, ephemeral moments.
*Handmade raku ceramic pottery cabochon
*Bisque fired, glazed, and raku fired in my studio
*Black from the raku firing process where there is no glaze.
*See photo for measurements
*Signed by the artist (that's me!) on the back "MAKU"
Thanks for looking! Hope you enjoy my art!
THE RAKU PROCESS:
Raku pottery was made long ago for Japanese tea ceremonies. It was modernized later into the process you see today. This involves taking a piece of pottery that has been bisque fired and glazed then firing it in a raku kiln. The piece is then fired to about 1800 degrees F and pulled out of the kiln while still red hot then placed in a reduction chamber containing organic materials such as newspaper, sawdust, leaves, etc. The materials catch on fire, the lid is put on very quickly and carefully. The fire wants oxygen to keep g*oing and flames often shoot across a piece, pulling oxygen from the glaze. The matte black color (a very unique characteristic of raku) is created where there is no glaze. It's so exciting and creates one of kind colors which are very hard to duplicate. Please note that raku is not food safe nor is it intended to hold liquid.
Caring for your raku piece:
Raku is fragile, please handle with care. Keep your raku in an air tight container or zippered bag when storing. Do not swim or leave your piece in water. Keep your piece out of direct sunlight, as it will affect the glaze. You may see some ash residue that will rub off from the parts that are not glazed. This will come out of your clothing with no problem, but if it concerns you, you can paint clear nail polish on the back of a piece.
The raven has long stood as a symbol of mystery, transformation, and intelligence—an omen of change that bridges the worlds of life and the unknown—and a raku-fired raven cabochon amplifies those meanings through its creation: the raku process, with its rapid firing, smoke-driven reduction, and unpredictable surface effects, mirrors the raven’s association with metamorphosis and the acceptance of uncertainty. In jewelry, a raku raven cabochon carries dual narratives: the bird’s cultural roles as messenger, guardian, and trickster, and the raku finish’s tactile records of heat, crackle, and metallic luster, which together create a piece that speaks to resilience, personal evolution, and the beauty found in imperfect, ephemeral moments.
*Handmade raku ceramic pottery cabochon
*Bisque fired, glazed, and raku fired in my studio
*Black from the raku firing process where there is no glaze.
*See photo for measurements
*Signed by the artist (that's me!) on the back "MAKU"
Thanks for looking! Hope you enjoy my art!
THE RAKU PROCESS:
Raku pottery was made long ago for Japanese tea ceremonies. It was modernized later into the process you see today. This involves taking a piece of pottery that has been bisque fired and glazed then firing it in a raku kiln. The piece is then fired to about 1800 degrees F and pulled out of the kiln while still red hot then placed in a reduction chamber containing organic materials such as newspaper, sawdust, leaves, etc. The materials catch on fire, the lid is put on very quickly and carefully. The fire wants oxygen to keep g*oing and flames often shoot across a piece, pulling oxygen from the glaze. The matte black color (a very unique characteristic of raku) is created where there is no glaze. It's so exciting and creates one of kind colors which are very hard to duplicate. Please note that raku is not food safe nor is it intended to hold liquid.
Caring for your raku piece:
Raku is fragile, please handle with care. Keep your raku in an air tight container or zippered bag when storing. Do not swim or leave your piece in water. Keep your piece out of direct sunlight, as it will affect the glaze. You may see some ash residue that will rub off from the parts that are not glazed. This will come out of your clothing with no problem, but if it concerns you, you can paint clear nail polish on the back of a piece.
