Callisto

Stoneware・Flashing Slip・Wood-fired

Taiwanese artist Liao Guo Hua’s mastery of his craft yields pots rich with personality. Smooth, clean throw lines draw his pots up or out, signifying stateliness or gravity, respectively, and each meticulous tilt of handle or spout adds to the individual narrative of the piece.

Heavily textured and thick with grog, this little pot’s serious demeanor is the perfect backdrop for the unpredictable magic of wood-firing. Greens in shades of seagrass slide like water across the top, pooling in the cuts and grooves of the surface. Below, a bright lick of flame has turned the flashing slip to a fiery orange, peppered through with the iron-rich freckles of the clay body. The spout tapers upwards from base to tip, creating a clean, exacting pour.

Usage and care: Unglazed wood-fired pieces will season very slowly over time, though limited porosity allows for use of different tea types. The exterior of the teapot will deepen in color and develop a rich luster with use. Hand-wash only, without soap or detergent.

Approximate dimensions: 85mm tall, 75mm diameter, 200ml・Artist: 廖國華