Tree design candle deals holder, carved handmade porcelain

This beautiful piece would grace any room. It is a carved and pierced candle holder, where the piercing around the tree represents the leaves.

I hand-built this one instead of throwing it, as I like the slight slumping and irregularity that hand building produces. I think it suits the feel of these pieces, which is very flowing and organic. All the carving is done on the spur of the moment - I don't work to templates - so each piece is completely unique.

I am doing a lot with trees at the moment - go and see my instagram to see some of the other deals pieces I have been working on - www.instagram.com/cmbceramics - so it felt natural to put some on these as well. I think the result is just beautiful, either as the white carving, or with a candle bringing out the details. In these pics it is lit with a single jumbo tealight.

Anyway once I have made a basic cylinder I let it dry enough to be handled without sagging, and then I just carve straight into it. I often don't know what I'm going to do until it appears.

The outside is left unglazed, but I do glaze the inside for easy cleaning. As this is high fired porcelain it is dishwasher safe.