Smokefired

Smokefired is a term used in crafts and manufacturing to describe items produced or treated under a smoky firing atmosphere. It functions as an adjective describing pieces whose appearance is shaped by smoke exposure rather than heat alone. The notion is most commonly associated with ceramics and pottery, though it can also apply to metalworking and other materials heated in smoky kilns.

In ceramics, smokefired wares are produced by firing in atmospheres containing wood smoke, sawdust, or other organic matter, which contributes particulates and reducing gases to the kiln environment. Techniques include pit firing, wood-fired kilns, saggar firing, and raku. The smoke and ash interact with clay bodies and glazes to yield surfaces with carbonized patterns, ash deposits, and varied color shifts from blacks and greys to browns and metallic hues. The results are often valued for their organic, unpredictable textures and finishes.

Historically, smokefired firing has deep roots in many cultures, where fuelled kilns and open fires shaped wares before controlled electric and gas kilns became common. In contemporary practice, artists use smokefired processes to explore the dialogue between material, environment, and chance. The term smokefired may also appear in product descriptions or art criticism as a shorthand designation for such effects.

See also: smoke firing, pit firing, wood-fired kilns, raku.