The Effects of Obvara Firing Technic, on Biscuits, Colored and Glazed Body

Abstract

Obvara is a ceramic firing technique which started in the 14th - 20th centuries and is known as the Baltic (Belarus) Raku. In this technique, firing is done by taking the unglazed and biscuit ceramic products out of the kiln and dipping them in a special fermented mixture for 5-10 seconds, which then clleaned with water. The effects and color tones of Obvara depend on its heat when taken out of the kiln and the densitiy of the mixture used. To have the best outcome, it is essential the biscuit product to be hot. In this study, different experiments were done on biscuist-colored slip (angabe) and glazed surfaced by making changes in the materials and ratios used in Obvara preparation. As a result of these experiments, different visual effects were created. The combined use of coloured angobe with ceramic pigments and colored glazes and Obvara effects resulted in artistic effects.