Saturday's Morning Cup

Here is an old favorite that I haven't used in awhile. It's from Frau Hoffa's kiln in Hohr-Grenzhausen, Germany, a kiln that is no longer fired. I believe that Otto Blum still fires this type of kiln. This is where in 1967, I first saw wood firing and salt glazing. They have been making salt glazed ware in that area for about 700 years and continue to produce great pots. One of the things that strikes me about this pot is the technical excellence. The clay is fired to complete vitrification. You could use this for a hammer after you drink your coffee!!
The handle is a traditional style that you see on most of the pots made there, for a couple hundred years, rounded and very slightly tapered. The shape is abit off the page, most cups have the "stein" feeling to them.
The salt glazing was done in a traditional Westerwald style wood fired kiln. They are large two story tall updraft kilns. Once very common there are only one or two still in operation there now. Most ware is now gas fired.
There is also an excellent museum in Hohr-Grenzhausen that not only shows pottery of the area but a lot of the tools etc used to produce pots. The best part is the great food at the restaurant at the museum!!
Well the coffee is gone, time to make some pots.