Description
From the studio of Louise at Living Ginger in Galway comes a porcelain vessel that captures the fleeting poetry of nature. Measured in an oval plan—11cm by 14cm, and standing 9cm high—this small but substantial form feels at home holding dried grasses, a single bloom, or simply resting as sculpture on a shelf or windowsill.
What sets this piece apart is the making process: fresh leaves, seed heads, and slender stems are pressed directly into the damp clay before the first firing. Each plant is chosen for its distinct vein pattern and silhouette, leaving behind a ghost-like relief—subtle enough to invite touch, vivid enough to read as a botanical study. After the initial firing, Louise carefully applies a translucent glaze that settles into the deepest recesses of each impression while slightly receding from the raised surfaces. This selective highlighting makes the flora appear to emerge from within the porcelain itself, as though the clay has fossilized a moment from a Galway hedgerow.
Because every plant is pressed by hand and no two impressions are identical, each vessel carries its own distinct composition—some airy and sparse, others dense with overlapping leaves. The oval footprint offers a gentle asymmetry, contrasting with the crisp, clean rim. Unglazed exterior areas retain the raw, velvety feel of bare porcelain, while the glazed impressions catch the light as you move around the piece.
Made for contemplation and daily use—whether as a bud vase, a catchall for small treasures, or an object of quiet beauty—this vessel embodies Living Ginger’s commitment to nature-led craftsmanship. It is a reminder that art need not shout; sometimes, it simply presses a fern into clay and lets time do the rest.
