The Workshops of David T. Smith Blog

This heavily researched and highly decorated pot is one of our finest pieces yet. Dedicated to one of America's most influential founding fathers, Benjamin Franklin was a leading inventor, musician, postmaster general, grandmaster, abolitionist, writer, scientist, and politician - just to name a few. This pot tells the story of Benjamin's colorful life and legacy using a combination of highly intricate redware techniques and our serious dedication to accurately representing our proud revolutionary history.

This piece will become available October 9, 2012 at 3 PM EST at www.davidtsmith.com This incredible and truly one-of-a-kind pot came to life with the combined effort of all three of our talented potters. The base and lid of this piece are both wheel thrown by master potter Chris Woods and it is an impressive 24 inches tall and 14 inches wide at its widest point. On the base of the pot Chris added a cobblestone effect on the bottom neck and at the top border. He also added this cobblestone pattern on the lid that serves as a platform for our witch trio. It was important that this creation should have special handles that befit the unique theme of the piece. It was decided that a gnarled tree creeping up from the bottom of the base and repeated on the lid was a very appropriate addition. The handles were put in place by Chris with special care and expertise due to this pots substantial size and weight. The trees are misshapen and knotty with intricate carved bark detail.