Mirek Smisek Vase and Crock Set

• Firing Crack - A firing crack is a crack in a porcelain or stoneware item that occurs whilst the item is in the kiln.They are usually caused by faulty design, where one part is thicker than the surrounding area, and being thicker it cools more slowly, setting up a stress with the surrounding area. Firing cracks are not often seen on modern mass produced porcelain, as the damaged items are discarded during prooduction. However they are seen in earlier items and artisan-produced objects.
• Stoneware Crocks - Stoneware crocks have a long history dating back to the 17th century in Europe. They were first made by German potters in the Rheinland region, and were known for their durability and resistance to thermal shock. These early stoneware crocks were typically made from a mixture of clay, feldspar, and flint, and were fired at high temperatures to make them strong and non-porous.
  
  The popularity of stoneware crocks quickly spread to other parts of Europe and eventually to America, where they were used by early settlers for food storage and preservation. They were particularly popular in the colonial period, where they were used for pickling and preserving food, as well as for fermenting and storing beverages like beer and cider.
  
  During the 19th century, stoneware crocks became even more popular in America, as they were used in the growing industry of commercial food preservation. Many potteries were established in the United States, making stoneware crocks for commercial use and for households.
  
  Stoneware crocks remained popular throughout the 20th century, but with the advent of modern food preservation methods, their use has diminished. However, they are still used today by many people who prefer traditional methods of food preservation and fermentation.

This item has been included into following indexes:

• Smisek, Mirek (New Zealand) - pots and vases 100