What Is Soda-Fired White Clay?

Soda firing is a ceramic firing technique that emerged in the 1970s as a more environmentally friendly alternative to traditional salt firing. It is named after the use of soda, which forms a natural glaze on the ceramic surface during firing.

This collection uses a pre-applied soda glaze technique. A specially formulated soda glaze is evenly applied to the clay body before firing. When the kiln reaches its peak temperature of approximately 1,310°C, the glaze melts at high temperatures, forming a glass-like surface with rich, organic textures. The glaze and clay body blend seamlessly, creating a naturally integrated finish.

The Clay: Jingdezhen White Clay

Made from Jingdezhen white clay, this ceramic body is naturally rich in silica and low in iron, giving it a clean, warm ivory-white appearance.

When soda-fired, the white clay develops an elegant beige tone with a distinctive orange-peel texture. With continued use and tea seasoning, delicate golden crackle patterns gradually emerge, adding depth and character to each piece.

Every piece develops its own subtle variations, making it a unique expression of traditional ceramic craftsmanship.

THE ART OF CRAZING

Where Nature Meets Craftsmanship

Crazing originates from the difference in thermal expansion coefficients between the clay body and the glaze.

The soda glaze, formed through high-temperature melting, is rich in sodium and has a higher expansion coefficient than the Jingdezhen white clay body. As the ceramic cools below approximately 200°C, tensile stress develops within the glaze, causing fine cracks to form naturally.

Once considered a firing defect, crazing was gradually transformed by generations of ceramic artisans into an admired aesthetic, famously celebrated as Golden Threads and Iron Lines (金丝铁线).

In this collection, crazing is a natural decorative feature created by the interaction between the soda glaze and white clay body.

When new, the fine crackle patterns are subtle and barely visible. With continued tea brewing, tea liquor gradually penetrates the delicate cracks and develops its color through oxidation, revealing beautiful golden, thread-like patterns.

The density, direction, and character of these patterns evolve naturally with use and vary from piece to piece.

Over time, your teapot develops a pattern that belongs uniquely to you.

Important Note on Use & Care

Please note that after brewing tea, the teapot will gradually develop a natural crackle pattern (known as crazing) across its surface. As tea liquor seeps into these fine cracks, delicate golden thread-like patterns will gradually appear.

This is a normal characteristic of soda-fired glaze and one of the distinctive features of this ceramic technique. These naturally evolving patterns are part of the teapot's unique character.

If you prefer a perfectly smooth, unchanged surface, please consider this before purchasing.

Care Instructions: Simply rinse the teapot after each use and allow it to air-dry thoroughly. No special maintenance is required.