North Carolina Pottery History: Our Wood-Fired Kiln Story
Published: February 21, 2025 Reading Time: 5 minutes
There's something special about North Carolina Pottery, and the prospect of building a kiln that would connect me to the generations of North Carolina potters before me, was really appealing. When I decided to construct my own wood-fired kiln in Stokes County, NC, I wanted to create more than just a firing chamber – I wanted to build a bridge between past and present.
Preserving North Carolina Pottery Heritage
The journey began with a stroke of luck: the opportunity to salvage bricks from A.R. Cole's historic kiln in Sanford, NC. Cole was a pivotal figure in North Carolina pottery, and using these bricks meant our new kiln would carry forward a piece of that legacy. Each brick we cleaned held decades of firing history within it.
Traditional Wood-Fired Kiln Design and Construction
For the design, I drew inspiration from John James' twin Bourry box kiln in Warwick, Australia. The Bourry box design, developed in France in the late 1800s, is known for its efficient firing process and ability to create unique flame patterns. Our kiln features a 100 cubic foot chamber – large enough for substantial firings while maintaining precise temperature control.
Focusing on the Kiln Details
Construction took 18 months, with every detail carefully considered. The angle and height of the chimney, the placement of the firebox, and the height of the chamber all play crucial roles in how flames and ash move through the kiln. It's a delicate balance of physics and craftsmanship that has been refined over centuries.
What Makes our Pottery Kiln Special
What makes this wood-fired pottery kiln special isn't just its construction – it's how it fires. During a typical 36-hour firing, we'll go through several cords of wood. As the wood burns, ash naturally deposits on the pots, creating unique patterns and natural glazes that can't be replicated any other way. The results are always a collaboration between the potter, the flame, and the kiln.
The Story of Fire and Ash
Each firing is a reminder of why I chose this path. While electric and gas kilns offer consistency, wood firing connects us to the elemental nature of pottery. Every handmade pottery piece that emerges tells a story of its journey through the flame, carrying forward both the history of those salvaged bricks and the promise of new traditions being born.
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Our wood-fired kiln operates throughout the year, with firings typically lasting 36 hours. Our studio in Danbury, NC is conveniently located near Hanging Rock State Park. Studio visits are welcome by appointment. If you are in the area and are interested in seeing this unique kiln in person, send us a message.
