wedding vase

Description:

Buffalo hair wedding vase.

C.L. Ramsdell's pots remember the kiss of smoke when buffalo hairs sizzle and curl on the white hot surface during the firing process. "I quickly hold the hair where I want the design. This firing time, roughly a minute, is intensely hot; yet it must be done without protective gloves." When the piece has cooled, Ramsdell scrubs off excess carbon, then applies wax to protect its surface. The result is a soft glowing organic patina which looks more like wood or marble than clay. Ramsdell's dramatic monochromatic buffalo hair pots are a modern interpretation of the Apache tradition honoring a fallen war horse. The hair of the buffalo is incorporated into the vessel, so the spirit of this great plains animal is always present. (The buffalo hair is collected from branches and various rubs used by wild buffalo.)

As Done By:

Cherie Ramsdell Pottery — Click to view all items by this member.