Duchek’s cracking glaze cup #419

Name:
Duchek’s cracking glaze cup #419JD2020m

Content and size of the cup:
70 ml, top diameter 7,7 cm, height 4 cm

About this piece:
Some cups by Jiri take on an unusual form and this is the case with this piece. Its like a human character that is never the same, each being has its own specific. A very steady ‘standing’ cup on the table and with just a right weight.

Last 4 pictures show aged/used Jiri Duchek cups. See the difference between this new cup and a used one. The time spent with the cup is all ‘written’ in the colouring of the glaze.

The cup is made by naturally and locally sourced clay by Jiri Duchek itself. It also contains a bit of locally sourced kaolin clay which is used for porcelain making. Additionally is glazed with a thin layer of white glaze. Such glaze is used in old times in Korea. You may check an aged cup from Korea on the following link.

Tea drunk from such a cup has round, mild and pleasant taste, similar taste as achieved by pure porcelain cups. This type of glaze makes tea taste more neutral, clean and pleasant. It kinds of purifies the final taste of tea.

The glazed fired shred will slowly age and change its color. A web of black cracks will appear and change the look of a cup. This web of cracks is unpredictable and could differ from a cup to a cup. Also the time when they appear is not fixed.

Each cup has an unique shape, size, fire marks. The cup surface is very smooth and nice to touch. The inside of the cup is glazed too and cracks will appear too.

Author:
Jiří Duchek

Check out these two movies about Jiri Duchek and his work. Movie1 and Movie2