The Feuertruhe stoves are about making the effects of fire visible. The surface of Feuertruhe 1 bears traces of the flames that moved across it while firing its tiles. The glaze is made from burnt copper, wood ash and clay powder, which are also the materials from which the entire stove is made. It is constructed from ceramic tiles and stands on copper legs. Inside, it is full of ash. The wooden fire melts these rough, grey materials down into a colorful glaze that is smooth as glass.

I call these stoves “Feuertruhen” or “fire trunks” because a trunk often conserves something valuable. I like the idea of the fire as something precious that has to be sheltered but also tamed and controlled.