My first wood firing was disappointing. Pale pieces with no purpose. The second time I set myself a task. Everything I made would have to do with fire. I made large goblets with writings about Joan of Arc and Icarus. Then Agincourt came to mind. A battle fought in the 15th Century between the English and French in France. The English were outnumbered but won the battle.

 

Success was due in part to a very muddy field. It had rained heavily the night before, causing the French in their heavy armor to sink deeply into the mud and become sitting targets. The other contributing factor was the English archers. Boys were chosen at a young age for their shooting ability, their bows hewn in chorus with their growth. The English long bowmen were able to pick off the floundering French from a safe distance. War, mud, battle and probably fire made me think of chess. I would make a chess set for the kiln. 

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I used two different clays and two different textures; small indents to imply bullet marks on concrete walls and little lines to represent scratches in armor. I knit red copper wire to fit inside the cavity of the pieces, making a sort of internal chain mail for one team.