Horsehair pottery is not glazed. The surface has been burnished with an application of Terra Sigilatta which is very fine particle clay suspended in water. It is painted onto a small portion of the surface of a bone-dry pot and rubbed with a cloth while still moist to creat a shiny surface. Bit by bit the entire surface of the pot is burnished in this manner. Once completely dry, the pot is bisque fired to about 1,800º Fahrenheit. The pot is then fired again to about 800º, removed from the kiln and horsehair (or anything flammable) is applied to the surface where it burns and leaves carbon markings. Before it is cooled, wax is applied to the surface and polished to give the surface more depth and sheen. These pots are mainly decorative and will not hold water.
