Geoff Thomas: anagama 2
SideStoke home | Geoff Thomas home | Anagama home

At right: a sequence of photos looking into the kiln from differing heights. Careful inspection of these photos will reveal the heights of the steps of the kiln floor. The lower edge of the bottom photo is at the level of the firebox floor.

One advantage of combining a farm with an anagama is that a full-time farm worker is available to be coerced into firing the kiln through the nasty hours of the night. The kiln also acts as a community kiln. Potting friends and neighbours of Geoff regularly assemble for firings. Linda Ewin, Joy Kirby and Rosemary Francis form the core of this group.

Geoff has a refreshingly simple approach to the finishing procedure for his anagama firings. When he decides the kiln has been fired hot enough for long enough he closes it up, and goes to bed.