Keepsake vessels are intimate objects designed to be held, lived with, and returned to over time. Hand-cast in stoneware, each piece balances quiet utility with sculptural presence. Many vessels are finished using the Obvara firing process, an ancient Eastern European technique that produces unrepeatable, organic surface patterns—capturing the moment of firing as a permanent record. Subtle variations in form and surface ensure that no two vessels are exactly alike.

OBVARA

Originating in 12th-century Eastern Europe, Obvara is a dramatic firing technique that marries earth with alchemy. The process begins when the pot is pulled red-hot from the kiln—glowing at 1650°F—and immediately plunged into a fermented brew of flour, yeast, and water.

The mixture boils instantly against the scalding clay, searing organic, unpredictable patterns into the surface. The result is a vessel that looks as if it has been excavated from the earth, bearing marks ranging from warm toasted wheat to deep, carbonized blacks. Because the reaction is so volatile, no two pieces are ever alike.

Care Note: Due to the porous nature of this finish, Obvara vessels are not water-tight. We recommend them for dry storage or decorative use only. Dust with a soft, dry cloth.