When Online Ceramics first went live, it was important to us to feature wood fired ceramics. This centuries-old method of firing ceramics with wood does more than generate intense heat – it transforms clay surfaces through elemental forces, leaving subtle marks, textures, and colours that no other firing method can produce.
The interaction of flame and ash during firing results in surfaces shaped by nature – from soft colour flashing and glaze movement to rugged, heavily textured finishes. These effects aren’t painted on or engineered; they emerge spontaneously as fire moves through the kiln, fusing material and atmosphere in a way that reflects both the environment and the potter’s intent.
Depending on the type of kiln used – such as a Japanese anagama kiln – the final result may display scorched areas, glassy natural glazes, or dry, shadowed patches where the flame couldn’t reach. Every pot becomes a physical expression of the firing journey and the potter’s deep engagement with the process.
Wood fired pottery reflects the risks, rituals and responsiveness of the maker. No two pieces are ever exactly the same – each one carries evidence of fire, ash, and the passage of time.
After much discussion, we chose to represent Ben Brierley, a Loughborough-based potter known for his dedication to the anagama kiln method. In this traditional Japanese approach, pots are fired continuously over four days, with the kiln stoked around the clock and temperatures reaching over 1,400°C.
What drew us to Ben’s work was its sense of energy and playfulness. Some of his pieces show intense ‘hot spots’ where flame has flowed directly across the surface, creating areas of glaze build-up and melted ash. Other parts remain untouched – deliberate ‘cold spots’ that highlight the raw clay beneath. The contrast adds complexity and visual rhythm to his pots.
Ben has shared his expertise in his book Firing Kilns, published by New Ceramics, which provides an in-depth look at the methods, materials, and philosophy behind wood firing.
In 2020, a decade after launching the site, we welcomed a second British wood fired potter – Norfolk-based Stephen Parry. Stephen’s pots blend Western and Oriental influences, pairing finely thrown forms with thick layers of slip and glaze that respond dramatically to flame.
Each piece reveals a carefully orchestrated balance of control and spontaneity – where the potter’s hand meets the unpredictability of fire. The results are richly layered surfaces and striking contrasts that make Stephen’s work instantly recognisable and deeply expressive.
Our most recent addition to the collection of wood fired pottery UK is Charles Bound, an American-born ceramicist working in South Wales. Charles’s approach is bold and instinctive. His expressive marks and raw clay forms evoke geological forces – as if his pots were formed in fire and slowly weathered over centuries.
His works feel elemental – gestural, earthy, and entirely uncontrived. The firing process doesn’t just complete the piece; it becomes part of its essence. Few potters convey the raw physicality of the wood fired pottery process as powerfully as Charles Bound.
Wood fired ceramics offer more than just functionality. They act as records of fire, labour, time, and material – vessels that tell a story shaped by both human intention and natural forces. Whether it’s the deliberate shadows left by cold spots, the vibrant ash deposits, or the layered slips that shift in the kiln’s heat, these pots carry a sense of depth that draws collectors in.
If you’re exploring wood fired pottery UK, our growing collection features exceptional examples from three accomplished makers – each demonstrating a different voice and approach, shaped by years of dedication to their craft.
Collectable ceramics created in wood kilns hold a special place in contemporary studio pottery. Their appeal lies not only in their appearance, but in the process and philosophy behind them. Whether you’re drawn to the quiet strength of Stephen Parry’s forms, the expressive energy of Charles Bound’s work, or the flame-swept surfaces of Ben Brierley’s pots, each firing captures a moment of transformation.
At Online Ceramics, we’re proud to represent these artists and bring their work to collectors who value material honesty, craftsmanship, and the beauty of chance.
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