Beneya are a range of beautiful hand painted ceramics.
Benaya works with guild artists to produce hand painted ceramic tiles using a glaze formula. The raw clay is formed into a bisque, the picture is then drawn onto it and the raised line work is applied by hand. The artists then apply the colours in layers and finally it is fired at 1000c (1800f) for 22 hours.
The construction of the clay and the paint/glaze material are very different and the varying temperatures cause minute amounts of shrinkage and expansion. This contributes to movement in these elements that results in "crazing". Crazing can happen at different stages of the tile's life, ranging from hours after being fired to months or years later. Master craftspeople consider this type of product to be alive and liken crazing to tiles as wrinkles are to people.
Old Tupton Ware is a pottery made to the highest standards. Each piece requires more than a dozen steps from original master to the finished product on the shelf.
As each piece is hand made, there will always be small differences from one piece to another which can enhance the product and its collectibility.
Inspired by the beauty and tradition of native cravings, these wonderfully crafted wildlife sculptures celebrate the instinctive skill of the tribal artist.
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