The Lakeshore Collection, Ltd. Model Horses

The Art of Fire
By Artist and Master Ceramist George Robert Boothe
For The Lakeshore Collection, Ltd.

Bringing to life the art form of Raku Chojiro from 16th century Japan, master ceramist and artist George Robert Boothe has been honing and perfecting his craft for over 25 years. He now lends his expertise in this time-honored and demanding art to the fine bisque porcelain of The Lakeshore Collection, Ltd.

True to the traditional art of Raku, Mr. Boothe carefully hand-applies special glazes to each individual piece, which he then kiln-fires to an inferno-like temperature of almost 2000 degrees Fahrenheit. When the almost molten piece glows orange hot, he removes it from the kiln and places it directly in a special metal reduction chamber filled with paper, small pieces of wood, leaves and other combustibles of nature, which ignite.

The piece is immediately engulfed in shooting flames - the art of fire.

Each resulting fine art piece which survives the ordeal is as unique, individual, and distinctive as a fingerprint - and alive with an exploding kaleidoscope of swirling iridescence and metallic patinas - each determined not by glaze alone, but also by the combination of combustibles which cause the swirling smoke.

Each also bears the hallmark and inimitable texture of fine traditional Raku - each swirl and rivulet forever bearing silent testament to its trial of fire.

All are strictly “artist's choice” colors and offered on this website only as new pieces are completed and become available.

Entirely hand-crafted, each studio unique piece, due to the nature of the art of Raku, can never be replicated. Therefore each comes with a letter of authenticity individually hand-signed by the President of The Lakeshore Collection, Ltd., attesting to it's special status.