Clay for bricks that will be used to the kiln wall originated from this deposit at Jerovec, traditionally pottery village near Varaždin
0004
Once the clay is dug out, it is rough and needs to be dried and pulverized
0005
This was carried out by the pupils of the Čakovec Construction School
The clay was mixed into a homogenous mass, and formed in individual wooden moulds
00011
The bricks were left to dry for a long time
View to the location at Varaždinske Toplice where the kiln will be built
00015
Pupils of the Čakovec Construction School
dug out a hole measuring 3.5 x 2.5 m,
and 30 to 40 cm deep
00019
Rock was laid at the base of the hole to ensure stability and allow for drainage
00024
The layer was levelled and compounded so that it could support the oven foundation
00032
The foundation of the kiln already determines its round form, with dome
00036
The first layer of the kiln foundation is prepared
00051
The prepared foundation will serve to support the bricks that will be used to build the kiln
00053
The first bricks that will form the firebox are laid
00058
The bricks need to be adapted to the round form of the kiln
00064
According to the instructions of Bernd Pfannkuche, Milivoj Segan designed the wooden forms for the ribs of the kiln praefurnium
00090
Round chamber made of bricks and mortared with clay
000102
A look at the arch of the back opening of the kiln, where ceramic products are loaded
000108
A master stonemason will line the lower part of the entire kiln with stone, in order to reduce heat losses in the firebox and to ensure stabilisation
000111
Construction of the dome begins
000118
Some openings need to be present in the dome to allow for air circulation and control of flame colour
000140
The kiln needs to be protected with a layer of clay mass, to which binding material and chaff are added
000145
The bricks that will close the opening of the kiln need to be shaped
000149
Our beauty before drying
000156
In order to protect from snow and rain, the kiln is protected with a specially adapted house
000158c
Several days prior to the first firing, the kiln is gently heated
000161
Bernd Pfannkuche receive the honour of filling the kiln for the first time in 2010
000163
Many smaller pieces can be fired in the kiln at once, as it has a volume of about 100 litres
000164
The temperature in the kiln is controlled by experience (according to the colour of the flame in the chamber), but also with the help of modern pyrometres positioned in two places
000165
In order to prevent the loss of heat, the opening of the firebox needs to be reduced
000166
The firebox needs at least 4 hours to achieve peak temperature, of a minimum of 900°C
000168b
Firing is completed after 4 hours and the kiln is left to cool overnight.
In the morning, the opening on the back wall is reopened
000168f
The bowls and glasses are a beautiful red colour, which indicates the firing was successful
000170
The satisfied builders have called the kiln…
000170a
IGNATIA (VATROSLAVKA)
000172
A new firing was carried out, this time to make new museum souvenirs – lucernes fashioned after those discovered at this archaeological site
000173
A look at the raw goods in the kiln
000175
The opening is walled again, and the entire process is repeated...
