Earthy and Elemental Pit-Fired Pottery
These pieces are born from fire and smoke. Each pot is fired in an open pit with natural elements, creating raw, earthy markings that can never be perfectly replicated.
This video shows the beautiful process of pit firing at Wild Turmeric Farm. From wrapping the pieces and placing them in the pit to revealing the stunning, smoky results the next day, it’s a truly magical experience.
I call this pit-fired piece 'Stardust'. The subtle, speckled effect was created by throwing sawdust onto the hot surface of the vase during the firing. It’s earthy, subtle, and beautiful.
This unique, sculptural vase shows the incredible range of colors you can achieve with pit firing. The flashes of red and deep black are created by the organic materials burning around the pot.
A collection of miniature vases from our pit firing. These tiny pieces nestle into the small spaces in the pit and often come out with the most dramatic and beautiful results.
Another view of the 'Stardust' vase, showing how the smoky markings wrap around the form. This piece is perfect for holding dried flowers.
The simple, classic shape of this vase is the perfect canvas for the complex, organic patterns created by the pit fire. It feels wonderful to hold.
A close-up of the 'Stardust' effect. The tiny white specks against the smoky, matte surface are just so delicate and lovely.
The beautiful gradient of color on this pit-fired vase is completely natural, a direct result of its position in the fire. You can never replicate these effects exactly.
About Earthy & Elemental: Pit-Fired Pottery
Just a heads-up, these pit-fired pieces are decorative, not functional. Because they aren't vitrified in a traditional kiln, they remain porous and are best suited for dried flowers or sculptural display, rather than holding water. This is the trade-off for those beautiful, smoky patterns that only come from an open flame.
Pit firing is as much about trust as it is about chemistry. Unlike modern kilns where temperature and atmosphere are strictly controlled, a pit fire is wild. We take our pieces, wrap them with organic materials like leaves and seaweed, and bury them in a pit at Wild Turmeric Farm. We add elements like salt, copper sulphate, or just simple sawdust to see how the fire reacts.
The Art of the Unexpected
Every piece that comes out of the pit is a surprise. You might see deep blacks, rusted oranges, or soft greys where the smoke has kissed the clay. Take my 'Stardust' vase, for example. I achieved that effect by throwing sawdust onto the pot while it was still red-hot mid-fire. That kind of detail is impossible to plan; it only happens when you let go of the need for control and listen to the clay.
Why Collect Pit-Fired Art?
Because these pieces are never fully sealed, they hold the history of the fire within their walls. They feel raw and heavy in your hands. If you are looking for something to bring a quiet, earthy energy into your home, these fit perfectly.
I offer these as individual pieces whenever they come out of the firing cycle. If you have a specific shape or size in mind for a custom sculptural commission, we can discuss creating a piece that we can then take through the firing process together.
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