November2003

Creating Murrinis

Murrini making was invented by the ancient Egyptians, perfected by the Romans and made famous by the Venetian glass blowers on the island of Murano in Italy.
Over the past ten years, I have adapted these techniques for use in creating my beautiful colored porcelain Artwork.
I use Mason Stain colors mixed with Southern Ice Porcelain to create my original designs in very original colors.

I use a plastic bag to mix the Mason stains with just enough water to create a creamy solution.
I add this liquid to commercial wet white clay.

I use my mixer to knead in the stain solution until the color is even throughout the clay body.
This can also be done by hand.

I want the finished clay to be soft as cookie dough.

I make sample discs of each color for reference.

To create a third new color, I mix two existing colors together.
I weigh each color then shape it into a sloped triangle shape. Flip so the thickest end of one color matches the thin end of the other.

I can also add a bar of white clay as a base to create pastel shades.
I slice the resulting loaf into five or six numbered pieces.

	I knead each slice separately and re-number it.
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Sometimes, I stack them free form into a rectangle for a loose wavy pattern.

The colors are hard to see before firing, but not after.

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Sometimes, I roll and cut them into exact thicknesses for
distinct stripes.

Apply a thin coating of colored slip between the layers to create a thin shadow.

I cut the patterned loaves by placing the loaf on a level surface between a pair of rulers.
I pull the cutting wire towards me while resting it on the rulers to control the thickness of the slice.

If you want to try this yourself, the simplest patterns to begin with is the checkerboard.

Cut equal slices of two colors.
Stack them alternately with slip between each layer. Don’t use too much slip, just enough to cover.


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Slice this striped loaf and re-assemble it by flipping alternate slices so the colors are opposite.

When you are done, gently drop this on all sides to firm up the attachment. Wrap the loaf in a dampish cloth, seal it in a plastic bag and let the loaf rest overnight before using.


A larger, more complex murrini form takes days to create.
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A simple checkerboard will be the core of this new pattern.

Assembly is just as messy as it appears! However, the final pattern will be crisp and clear.

Here is a dish made from the new pattern. It is resting in a supporting mold while it dries.