The Digit Vases and Bowl are exquisite examples of handcrafted Portuguese ceramics, created using an ancient Japanese firing method known as Raku. The journey begins with skilled artisans hand-forming the clay into the desired shapes for the vases and bowl. The formed clay pieces are fired in a kiln at relatively low temperatures. When the ceramics reach the optimal temperature in the kiln, they are quickly removed while still glowing hot. These red-hot pieces are then placed into a container filled with combustible materials like sawdust, leaves, or paper. This ignition creates a reduced atmosphere within the container. As a result of the rapid cooling and reduction process, the glazes on the ceramics begin to crack and form intricate and often unpredictable patterns on the surface. This crackling effect is one of the hallmark features of the Raku firing process.
