This piece was coil built with micaceous clay that I used for the first time during my art residency in Taos this past summer. Clay containing metallic flecks of mica is naturally occurring in the mountains of Northern New Mexico. Traditionally it was used for cooking pots because the mica acts as a temper reducing the risk of thermal shock which leads to cracking. Today, both Native and non-Native ceramicists use this clay to create works of art. 

This bowl is round-bottomed and would make a lovely fruit bowl or table centerpiece.

I have marked this piece down because of a very small, fine crack in the rim that occurred during firing. The last photo shows this flaw.

Saggar fired with sawdust. 16” diameter, 7” tall