Lustre Ware
What is ‘reduction fired lustre ware’,
or clay paste lustre?
Sometimes described as a modern alchemy, this
process dates back ten centuries to potters
of the Islamic empire, and has a fascinating
history. Silver and copper salts are mixed
with clay and painted on the surface of the
glazed pot.
A third firing, in which the kiln is deprived
of oxygen, deposits the metal in a minutely
thin layer which combines with the glaze.
The design reflects light, and like oil on
water, can break into iridescent colours.
In this way, the base elements of earth are
transformed by fire, by imagination, by intention,
and by persistence, into ‘gold’.
View our current range of Lustre ware >
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Jonathan Chiswell Jones’ lustre ware
Lustre pots are numbered and signed before
they are fired. The number allows technical
details to be noted. The signature is a mark
of authorship, not a guarantee of quality.
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| The work is experimental in nature: an exploration
of clay and colour, of brushwork and the play
of light. The process is uncertain, and sensitive
to many variables. There is no end to the
search for harmony, beauty and meaning, yet
these goals are only dimly imagined and remain
illusive. Success in such a field is always
over the horizon, tantalisingly out of reach. |
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| The showroom has a wide selection of lustre
ware, though some of the best pieces are kept
for exhibition. Please refer to the exhibitions
section of this website for details. |
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| Commissions for lustre are undertaken, though
the process makes results uncertain. |
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Use of lustre ware
The pots are vitrified and fully waterproof.
The lustre surface is vulnerable to abrasion
so pots should be treated carefully if you
want them in pristine condition - or used
normally and enjoyed with their scars of honour.
Dishwashing does not seem to harm our lustre
but handwashing with a sponge might be wiser.
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