Very Scarce Terra-Nigra Austria, Jesus Rendering
Hannes Wagner is the owner of a renowned company (that I, frankly, was unaware of until last year) named "Terra-Nigra". The firm amazingly combines creative artistry with a process of sculpture that is over 2,000 years old and had all but disappeared.
Terra-Nigra is located in Vienna, Austria and has a web site, so you can discover this fascinating firm for yourself. The point is that this is very rare and unique pottery and was manufactured in exactly the same way as 2.000 years ago, with more modern themes in some cases as here. It's a blend of archeology and art; here, religion AND ART.
Their art is UNIQUE:
"It is even easy for the to layperson to differentiate between this unique pottery and other conventional products. The finished product, because of a high ratio of iron content has a shiny metallic surface with a unique metallic sound. Small Terra-Nigra products, because of the high iron content, can even be picked up with a magnet. With commercially available firing furnaces it is not possible to produce Terra-Nigra, because they are not capable of simulating the environmental and production conditions of those times. Terra-Nigra is not colour varnished or glazed. The silver grey to black tone is also on the inside of the pottery. These days Terra-Nigra is frequently referred to as “black gold”, because of its exclusive appearance and rarity. Every item is a unique piece and has its own character."
With its Christian theme, this piece is atypical and probably scarce. It is meant for the discerning buyer, someone who would display it or use it as a gift for a clergyman, teacher et al, who'd delight in owning it and would relish explaining its unique qualities.
It is 5 inches in diameter and absolutely mesmerizing. I'll provide the stand that is shown. No COA is available and the production date (if it was produced- this may be a prototype ) is unknown.
More about the process:
The formula was lost with the fall of Rome, but.....
"The rediscovery of Terra-Nigra
The master potter Franz Kukowetz in Flandorf, Austria, was encouraged by his professors at the Academy of Applied Art , to start the research in order to demonstrate that the reduction process is the secret behind Terra-Nigra. Scientists examined the firing results and confirmed Mr. Kukowetz’s discovery behind the secret of Terra-Nigra in 1956. It turned out that Franz Kukowetz’s assumption, that the reduction of the shaped clay can be achieved through the earth and sand in the furnace which has been heated up with resinous wood, was the correct one. Now with the correct chemical composition of clay and firing, it was possible again to produce, after 2000 years Terra-Nigra!. He accomplished what many research centres around the world failed to do over decades.
The secret of the ancient art of Terra-Nigra ceramics was revealed! "
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