Obvara - A New Obsession?

I first read about the ancient Obvara firing technique in an article in The Journal of Australian Ceramics (Vol 60 No 2 July 2021) by Jacqui Sowsnowski. Although I was intrigued, it has taken me four years to actually explore this fascinating process for myself. In that time, I have followed Sosnowski on Instagram (@jacquisos) and purchased her recently published book “Alternative Firing: Obvara & Raku”. This practical and helpful guide was the catalyst to the start of possibly my own new explorations. The images here represent my very first attempt.

Sometimes referred to as Baltic Raku, Obvara is a relatively simple technique that is believed to have evolved from approximately the 12th Century in the Eastern European Region. It involves plunging bisqued pots directly from the raku kiln at approximately 780 degrees celcius into an obvara brew of water, flour, yeast, and sugar, then putting them immediately into clean cold water. This involves a significant thermal shock to the pot, so it’s important to use a robust raku clay. While I’ve been lucky in my very short obvara ‘career’ not to have lost a pot, I believe it’s quite common for potters to have their pots crack as a result of such treatment!

This is an immediate and thrilling alternative firing technique that smells like warm toast as you dip your pots! I love the notion that there are no nasty chemicals involved. I love the earthy palette of colours and the gentle sheen of the ware after it has been waxed and buffed. I find it interesting too, that obvara pottery is food safe, a rarity in raku ware. It may just have a practical application as well as decorative.