This vase is part of my ‘wilde klei’ collection, where I work with clay sourced directly from the surrounding landscape. For this piece, the clay was harvested from Ebenhaezer, a farm in the Witzenberg Valley, Western Cape, South Africa. The region is rich in mudstone and siltstone, with fine-grained sediments dating back to the Devonian period. 
 
Clay naturally forms in distinct layers, each with unique characteristics. The clay for this vase was sourced from the top layer, where it is primarily composed of pure clay particles. This gives it a more neutral tone rather than a reddish hue, as it lacks the higher mineral content found in deeper layers. In its raw form, the clay is off-white, smooth, and almost devoid of natural grog. To help maintain the integrity of the vase, fine white sand from the mountains of the Witzenberg Valley was added as grog. After being fired to 1200°C, the clay develops a soft tan colour with subtle variations due to the uneven distribution of minerals in places.
 
The interior of the vase is glazed with a satin-finished white glaze. The slightly flared top creates a blooming effect from a distance, but upon closer inspection, the irregular shapes offer a more skeletal feel.
 
Dimensions: 
Height - 24cm
Diameter of base -11cm
Diameter of head - 17cm
 
Weight - 1750g