A Small Nerikomi Press Molded Bowl. Nerikomi Ranunculus Flower Design. Ceramic Porcelain Pottery.

Small Nerikomi Ranunculus Press Molded Bowl

Measures: 3-7/8" wide x 2-3/8" high. ( 9.84cm x 6.03cm)

Holds approximately 1 cup (8 oz.)

Footring on the bottom of this bowl was formed by placing the bowl upside down on the potter's wheel while in its raw (greenware) state.
The rim has a very slight irregularity on one side. (Rim is not perfectly round).

Standard 365 Porcelain Clay
Fired to Cone 6 (2232ºF)
Glazed with dinnerware safe, lead free, glossy clear glaze.
Because of the delicate design, it would be best to hand wash this bowl.
I will probably always recommend hand washing my handmade pottery, even though they are technically dishwasher / microwave safe.

How it’s Made

This Nerikomi bowl begins with colored porcelain that I color myself.
Ranunculus flowers were formed into canes about 1-1/2" long.

Murrine and millefiori patterns were also formed into canes which revealed themselves after sliced into disks.

Murrine are colored patterns or images made in a cane.
The patterns are revealed when the cane is cut into thin cross-sections.
One familiar style is the flower shape.
The flower shape is called millefiori.

Each piece is laid into a bisqueware mold that I form on the potter's wheel from porcelain clay.
When the design is dry enough to be handled, it's pulled out of the mold and allowed to thoroughly dry under plastic.
The Nerikomi piece is sanded with 100 grit sandpaper, then 220 grit sandpaper.

The piece is signed and bisque fired - sanded or wet sanded again, and into the kiln for its final firing. (2232ºF)

Nerikomi is, in my opinion, the MOST DIFFICULT colored porcelain clay technique. This entire process is labor intensive, and cracks can appear at any stage of creativity.

When Nerikomi pieces are successful, it is with great appreciation, and never do I take Nerikomi success for granted.

I am continually discovering new ways to produce successful Nerikomi pieces.

The look of a Nerikomi piece of pottery is so different from glazed ware, as the color is embedded into the clay; the design appears on both sides of the pottery piece.