Pitfired Pottery

Story Vessels - Pit Fire


A Story Vessel - To Our Auntie

Michael Berkley Pit fire image story vessel detail It has been said that it is "the collection of moments that make time special".

For years I have been taking your stories and writing them in stone. A special story to a loved one from a loved one; A time of meeting...or departing.

A special meeting of Soul Mates; A special expression of you. A prayer; A special experienced memory from you, in story form, written on stone, in gold, silver or copper, and transformed in fire.

A hidden language, written from your heart and preserved in time.

This is what my Story Vessels display.

Writings have been scratched on clay from the beginning of time. Whether it was a crude map or an early inscription, the earth, or clay, was the first to be used and reaches back into our instinctual history.

Some of the earliest writings found on clay were the Sumerian tablets dated around 4000 BC (and older) which accurately relate the stories of celestial planets that exist in our solar system complete with their moons, their dominate gaseous or aquatic features, their colors and their sizes. All of these being accurate. Most of these tablets however had everyday stories; loves and losses and transactions. The stories give us a window into the past and shows Now and Then are separated only by time in the construct of time. Our connection with our own deep history; our journey forward in time preserved in stone for all to see.

Story Vessels range in price from $450 to $4000 depending on the length of the story and the size of the vessel. Larger vessels can be cost considerably higher but I found the above ranges work well. Please let me know the size that you need and I'll set forth in creating it. Usually I will make at least two vessels. I make two because of the uncertainty of this particular type of firing. I pick the best one. It does leave the other which you can purchase if you desire for a reduced price.

Note: I try to personally deliver Story Vessels within reason. The week of March 25th to 29 I drove 4 pieces to Coos Bay Oregon. Two Story Vessels, one horse-hair and one story vessel with no story! Pictures to come shortly.

Produced by Michael Berkley Pottery
© 1999-2009

Story Vessels

The story vessel below: - His Story - Pit Fired 22x17 - Carrot Orange Terra Sigillata with SilverWhite Terra Overlay. Copper, dung, salt, gold and copper inscription. Cherry, walnut, pine, oak and madrone wood with Berkley's specialty mix sawdust. $1800.00

On display at the Bedford Gallery, Walnut Creek, CA

Michael Berkley Pit fire image - hisStoryLarge

Pit Fire Image - HisStoryPit Fire Image - HisStory View 2
Detail Below:
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The story vessel below: - Prayers From Around the World. - Pit Fired 25x20 - Silver White Terra Sigillata, copper, dung, salt, gold inscription. Cherry, walnut and madrone wood with Berkley's special mixed sawdust. $1400.00
Displayed at Highlight Gallery, Mendocino, CA - SOLD.

Michael Berkley Pit fire image Pit fired story vessel

Michael Berkley Pit fire image - Story Vessel

Left: Backyard fast shot before firing. Right: On display at The Highlight Gallery in Mendocino, CA . Below: Details

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Below: Prayer Vessel - Pit Fired 22x17 - Carrot Orange Terra Sigillata, copper, dung, salt, copper and gold inscriptions with cherry, walnut and madrone wood and Berkley's special mixed sawdust. $1400.00. On display at the Beford Gallery. Walnut Creek, CA - Sold: Private Collection

Pit Fire Image - Prayer VesselPit Fire Prayer detail

Below: HerStory: PIt fired. White Tera Sigillata with Orange Carrot Terra Sigillata overlay - 12x13 - White Terra Sigillata, copper, dung, salt, copper inscriptions with cherry, walnut and madrone wood and Berkley's special mixed sawdust. $450.00 - Sold

Michael Berkley Pit fire image Prayer Vessel Large
Michael Berkley Pit fire image - Her Story

Pit Fire Image - Her Story Pit Fire Image - Her Detail

Below: PIt fired - 11x13. UncleRichy - Orange Carrot Terra Sigillata with Silver and reversed copper inscription. Copper carb, Nick's special dung, salt, seaweed. Cherry, walnut and madrone wood and Berkley's specialty mix sawdust.Sold

Pit Fire Image - unclesStoryMichael Berkley Pit fire image

Below: Detail

Michael Berkley Pit fire image

Below: Ancient History -25x19 Orange Carrot and White Terra Sigillata with copper inscription. Copper carb, Nick's special dung, salt, sea salt, seaweed. Cherry, walnut and madrone wood and Berkley's specialty mix sawdust. $1350. Donated for Richmond fire victim..

Michael Berkley Pit fire image Image. Ancient story

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Michael Berkley Pit fire image image detail

Below: Prophesy: the Return of Nibiru - 18x14. White Terra Sigillata with copper inscription. Copper carb, Nick's special dung with holes, salt, sea salt, seaweed. Cherry, walnut and madrone wood coupled with Berkley's specialty mix sawdust. $3300. On display: NECEA/Multnomah Art Center Portland, Oregon
Artery: Davis California. Award: Alpha Award - Best of Show

pitfire image - planet nibiru returnes

pitfire image PlanetXMichael Berkley Pit fire image

Below: Detail

Michael Berkley Pit fire image

Below: Recollections - Aunt Pauline's, Mom's and Aunt Lorraine's recollections and tales. White Terra Sigillata, copper wire, copper carb, copper, Nick's special dung with holes. Oak, almond and madrone wood with Berkley's specialty mix sawdust. NFS

Michael Berkley Pit fire image    Michael Berkley Pit fire image

Below: Written in gold preserves, Prayers with Purity of Heart. Copper, dung, salt, seaweed. Oak, almond and madrone wood with Berkley's specialty mix sawdust. $250
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Below: Sumerian Daily - Daily recollections and tales. Orange Carrot Terra Sigillata,, copper carb, copper, Nick's special dung with holes. Oak, almond and madrone wood with Berkley's specialty mix sawdust. $950.00. On display at the Bedford Gallery, Walnut Creek, CA

Michael Berkley Pit fire image