Tiger Saggar Raku

Above, you can see the rich variety of my Tiger Saggar. I am able to achieve extraordinary effects on non-glazed forms. Saggar firing refers to the use of a ceramic chamber to place the piece into for the firing process with combustible materials inside the saggar chamber to leave an imprint on the fired form. My Saggar process is different from the traditional Saggar process. It is similar in that no glazes are utilized on the surface. This technique, by far, requires the most time and energy prior to firing. The ware is first bisque fired to 1850℉, Then I dip the piece in an acid wash and apply various metallic oxides on the surface. I then wrap it in a copper-dipped twine that I create and place pieces of copper and other metals on the surface. The last step is to enclose the form in an aluminum foil cocoon which, in my process, is the saggar. Finally, it is ready to fire in the Raku kiln. Unlike other Raku techniques I do, the piece is not placed in a reduction chamber.

After firing, I pull the piece from the kiln and remove it from the ashes and debris of the process. The intriguing result is from the interaction of the acid with the various metals and metal oxides I applied on the surface. Every piece becomes a unique piece of art unlike any other.

In the description, the term “Tiger” refers to the fascinating darkened lines reminiscent of the animal. I have never seen this done by other potters. Many of my distinctive “Emperor” forms done in this technique are adorned with my exclusive “Wings of Freedom” lid ornaments. I appreciate symbolism in life. If anyone is interested in using a vase as a burial urn, I suggest you look for or request a piece with the wings of freedom lid.

Examples of the major Tiger Saggar Forms appear above. Visit the Shop now to see all Tiger Saggar and other styles of Raku.