Fused Glass Platter by Maori Boy - Waka Huia Design 20cm (white and indigo)

Glass Platter

Original designer plate by Maori Boy Glassware - a modern interpretation of traditional NZ-kiwi & Maori design.

Each piece is designed to be a work of art, while still being functional and robust enough to be used day-to-day.

20cm x 20cm
Waka Huia Design 

About Waka Huia Design:
This design is in acknowledgement of the waka huia.  It was a treasure container for personal artifacts or possessions.  Common were hei-tiki (pendants) and feathers for decorating the hair, such as the beautiful tail feathers of the huia bird.  This design stylises the shape of the Waka Huia which often took the form of a waka with carvings at each end.

Technique:

The technique of 'fusing and slumping' sandwiches a design of "onglaze powder" between two pieces of clear glass, which is then fused together at high temperature. The transparency of the top layer lends the design depth and enhances the vibrancy of each colour. Low fire “glaze” is traditionally used by ceramists as a ‘second’ firing over underglaze on fired pots. Low fire glaze will fire into glass using a very careful firing process aided by a 'proprietary formular' of frits and additives to promote compatibility, stability of the fusing process, and to enhance the vibrancy of the colours. The glaze is used ‘dry’ and not in a liquid form.