Slab built boxes are always a challenge to make sure the lids fit properly and are in proportion to the body of the box. The white trinket box was a once only, very time consuming project. It is in fact only about half the size of the anagama fired square box which is 19 cm. high and about 21 cm. between the handles although the photos make it appear otherwise.
Having built the large anagama kiln it was good to be able to make larger pieces. These two lanterns were among several I made and now stand in my garden. Just for fun I have added paper windows and put a light inside on a couple of occasions and they looked very Japanese.
Both these pieces were made with a combination of slabs and thrown pieces. The top piece is an Ikebana container where the base has been thrown and the square cylinder added to form a tall container. The storage jar is a slab built hexagonal shape which has been centered on the wheel and the gallery thrown from an attached coil of clay. The foot ring and the knob are done the same way.
These are just two of the many boat shapes I made. Slab built things do not have to be flat sided - clay is soft and malleable so there are many occasions when curves can be incorporated into a piece, especially those made as flower containers.
These two Ikebana containers could not be made in any other way than by using slabs of clay. The top photograph shows a variation of two box shapes put together and it has been professionally arranged by an Ikebana teacher. The polygon looks wonderful when used with a windswept arrangement of flowers and other material.
