John Hine Pottery

The raku animals from the John Hine Pottery have this distinctive crazing effect which makes every piece unique. It is achieved in the second firing after the special glazes are applied. The piece is lifted from the raku kiln when white hot, creating a thermal shock which causes the glaze to crackle. Each piece is then quickly buried in sawdust to reduce the temperature, and at this stage it may be lost completely. But when is works a brilliant crackle pattern is achieved
The method is so erratic that only a few craftsmen potters, such as these in Wales, are prepared to pursue this ancient tradition. The name Raku is taken from a group of oriental potters who lived about two and a half thousand years ago. In the sixteenth century the method was brought from the pottery of Chorjiro Raku in Korea to Japan where the strength and delicacy of the vessels was sought to grace their tea ceremonies.
The inspiration behind the creatures is the work of Brian Andrew. He does most of the original models from which the ceramics are taken from his studio and workshop in Cornwall.