Terra sigillata

Terra sigillata represents an alternative to stone burnishing. In this process clay is mixed with water and left to stand for several hours until the heavy particles have sunk to the bottom at which time  the lighter finer particles are siphoned off. This very fine clay in suspension is painted onto the surface of the piece and when it is dry it is polished, creating a soft sheen, not as glossy as stone burnished work but a more subtle satin glow that is very attractive .
The black pieces were then smoked to carbon colour the clay whilst retaining the soft sheen.