Matte Crystalline Glaze Porcelain

Grown in fire,
never repeated

Handthrown porcelain by Brian Geier. Zinc oxide crystals form as each piece cools in the kiln — a slow, unrepeatable chemistry, so no two works are ever the same.

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About the work

Where mineral
meets accident

Brian Geier shows and sells fine handcrafted pottery and ceramics focused on matte crystalline glazes. The addition of zinc oxide to the glaze allows crystals to form during the cooling stage of the kiln firing — a process that is beautiful precisely because it can't be fully controlled.

Crystalline pottery is inherently unpredictable. No two pieces are ever the same. Every finished form is microwave safe, and hand washing is recommended to protect the glaze surface.

Cone 10Firing Temp
ZnOCrystal Catalyst
1 of 1Every Piece
Crystalline glazed porcelain vessel by Brian Geier
Porcelain / Crystalline
Artist statement & process

The chemistry of surprise

Artist Statement

My focus is on making decorative and functional forms with matte crystalline glazes. I enjoy the fact that crystalline glazes are both challenging and rewarding. It is always a surprise when you open the kiln as no two crystalline pieces are ever the same. I prefer the characteristics of matte glazes because the surface is smooth to the touch and they are more subtle than glossy glazes. I also like the crystals on the smaller side with small variations in the background color of the piece. One source of inspiration for these glazes is from the mineral ocean jasper. It is a member of the quartz family, and it forms spheres of small crystals throughout the piece. When you cut and polish it, it can look just like a great crystalline glaze. Also, like the glaze, no two pieces are ever the same.

Process

I throw my pieces using porcelain. They are single fired to cone 10 in an electric kiln. After reaching peak temperature, the kiln is cooled quickly to around 2000 degrees Fahrenheit and held for about 2 hours. The glazes are dipped or brushed on the pieces. I also make rings and catchers for each piece because the glaze runs at high temperatures. It is important to make sure the rings fit exactly and are completely flat. I attach the ring with a mixture of kaolin. I also make sure to glaze over the seam between the piece and the ring so the glaze can flow more easily. This allows for an easier separation after the firing. I then use a diamond disc to grind the bottoms smooth.

Clay BodyPorcelain
Peak FireCone 10
Hold Temp~2000°F / 2 hrs
ApplicationDipped / Brushed
FinishingDiamond disc
Background

Resume

2006Bachelor of Science in Geography, Northern Illinois University
2004Associate in Arts, Waubonsee Community College
CurrentNorthern Clay Center — visit site ↗ · shop page ↗
2025"Strictly Functional Pottery National," Kevin Lehman's Pottery, Lancaster, PA
2016"Strictly Functional Pottery National," Kevin Lehman's Pottery, Lancaster, PA
2015"Holiday Exhibition," Northern Clay Center, Minneapolis, MN
2014"14th Annual National Juried Cup Show," Kent State Downtown Gallery, Kent, OH
2013"River 2 River," CSPS Legion Arts, Cedar Rapids, IA
2013"Strictly Functional Pottery National," Kevin Lehman's Pottery, Lancaster, PA
2012"Pour…2012," Terra Incognito Studios, Oak Park, IL
2012"Clay3," Warrenville Public Library, Warrenville, IL
2006"Extended Hands: A Show of Support," Dick Lehman's studio, Goshen, IN
2006"Lines into Shapes," Art Center of Estes Park, Estes Park, CO
2005"Made by Hand, Meant for Use," ARC Exhibitions at Andrews University, Berrien Springs, MI
2005"Cup: the Intimate Object IV," Charlie Cummings Clay Studios, Fort Wayne, IN
2005–06Yorkville Promenade of the Arts fine arts festival (juried), Yorkville, IL
2015Clay Times, Featured Article, "Crystalline Matte Glazes," Autumn/Winter — read the article ↗
2010Clay Times, The Gallery, Autumn issue
2007"Best of America Pottery and Woodworking Artists & Artisans," Vol. 1, Kennedy Publishing
2005Clay Times, The Gallery, September/October issue
Get in touch

Contact

Thanks for visiting. Brian is based in Lakewood, Colorado. For inquiries about available work or commissions, the best place to browse and purchase current pieces is through the Northern Clay Center Gallery shop. Or send a message to questions at briangeierpottery.com

LocationLakewood, Colorado
ShopNorthern Clay Center ↗ Gallerynorthernclaycenter.org ↗
Crystalline glazed porcelain teapot by Brian Geier