Saggar firing was invented in China during the Sung Dynasty, 1000 AD, as a means to protect ceramic ware from vapors, ash, or debris in a kiln. The term saggar means any container made of heat-resistant material that will hold the ware during firing. Today we place combustible materials with the ware inside the saggar to produce exciting colors and surface effects. The random action of fire on the clay has been termed “the gift of the flames.”
The ware is carefully prepared for saggar firing. To create a smooth surface the ware is first burnished by rubbing the surface in several directions with a smooth stone.
Then the surface is covered with terra sigillata, very fine liquid clay that resembles a glaze and is virtually waterproof. The name means “sealed earth.”
The ware is then polished with a soft cloth to give the surface its shine.
Following bisque firing the ware is nestled into a saggar filled with beds of combustible materials, less combustible organic materials, salts and chemicals. Placed in a gas kiln the saggar is fired until reaching the desired temperature, and then left to completely cool.
The materials in the saggar ignite or fume during firing, leaving the ware buried in layers of fine ash and the surface of the ware takes on dramatic markings and different shades of earth tones.
The ware is carefully prepared for saggar firing. To create a smooth surface the ware is first burnished by rubbing the surface in several directions with a smooth stone.
Then the surface is covered with terra sigillata, very fine liquid clay that resembles a glaze and is virtually waterproof. The name means “sealed earth.”
The ware is then polished with a soft cloth to give the surface its shine.
Following bisque firing the ware is nestled into a saggar filled with beds of combustible materials, less combustible organic materials, salts and chemicals. Placed in a gas kiln the saggar is fired until reaching the desired temperature, and then left to completely cool.
The materials in the saggar ignite or fume during firing, leaving the ware buried in layers of fine ash and the surface of the ware takes on dramatic markings and different shades of earth tones.