Description from their website: "Each new design begins as a drawing which is traced onto a plaster of Paris mold. This mold is then carved by hand using a stylus. Every ceramic with this particular design will be made using this mold. Each ceramic is begun by rolling out clay to a uniform thickness and applying it to the mold. We use a special clay for our artwork: a blend of clays and grog which, upon firing in a kiln, yields a natural earth tone and texture.
Next, the prepared clay is then applied to the mold. It is then most carefully separated from the mold and placed on the cutting table. Here, each piece is cut out by hand using a fine needle. The finished, cut-out pieces are called greenware. The greenware is taken to the drying room where it dries for 7-10 days. When the greenware is dry, the kiln master inspects every piece and moves the good pieces to be loaded and fired in the bisque kiln.
Once the greenware is loaded into the kiln, the temperature in the kiln is raised very slowly until, after 26 hours, it reaches a temperature of 1750 degrees Fahrenheit. This process turns the greenware into “bisqueware” that is ready to be washed and then glazed or painted.
Now the painted or glazed bisque is now ready for the final firing. The glaze kiln is loaded once again by the kiln master. The final firing lasts 11-12 hours and reaches a temperature of 2350 Degrees Fahrenheit. This gives the bisque a near-Porcelain quality. Finally, the finished product goes to the inspection room for quality-control examination."
(L09.B39.R57)
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