Neriage & Nerikomi

Neriage and nerikomi are the Japanese terms for two types of ceramics that combine coloured clays. With these, colourants such as mineral oxides or Mason Stains, are blended right into the clay. Neriage typically refers to a process that mixes multiple coloured clays to create a marbled effect. Nerikomi involves deliberately arranging the colours to form pictures and patterns that run through the entire piece.

Similar processes arose independently around the world and in different media. For example, the elaborate marbling in British agateware and swirlware from North Carolina, millefiori glassware, canework in polymer clay and mokume gane metalwork.

Dorothy Fiebelman, Matsui Kosei, Koyo Matsui, Naomi Lindenfield and Anne Mossman are some of my favourite neriage and nerikomi artists.