When the days begin to warm and the first shoots of green begin popping through the soil, we start preparing for spring. One of our favorite preparations includes the hand-carving of dogwood petals in our Pigeon River Pottery studio for our Dogwood Patterned Pottery.

This is a tradition as old as pottery being made in this location is. For more than three quarters of a century, artists have taken inspiration from the blooms of the dogwood tree to create one-of-a-kind pieces of art.

The creative process: hand-carved, hand-thrown

It all begins with hand-molding small pieces of clay into individual petals. Each petal is then applied to a still somewhat soft hand-thrown piece, be it a mug, vase, luminary, pitcher, or other item, when it’s still what we call greenware.

The piece has not been fired yet, so the clay is still soft enough to score where they want to apply the petals, then dampened slightly, as they gently press each petal to it. But their work is not done with just that.

They then use their hands, tools, sponges, and water to smooth out the petals, so they appear to have bloomed right out of the clay. The intricate and delicate details of the blossom are then added, along with some leaves. And just like the blooms of the Dogwood Tree, no two are exactly alike.

The symbolism of the dogwood tree

The Dogwood is a reminder of more than just spring for many. It is a symbol of resurrection, renewal, hope, and forgiveness. As the legend goes, the tree was once a mighty and sturdy one, like an oak. It was straight and strong, making it useful for building, which also made it useful for the construction of a cross, the cross that Jesus was crucified upon.

Following the resurrection, God changed the tree forever, making sure that it would never be suitable for building a cross again, but also blessing it with beautiful reminders for all who see it of what it was last used for.

The tree became smaller, and every branch crooked. It blooms each spring around Easter, and the bloom always has four petals, in the shape of the cross. The tip of each petal bears the scar of the nails used to hold Jesus to the cross, along with stains from his blood. The center of the bloom resembles the crown of thorns laid upon Jesus’s head.

The dogwood pattern at Pigeon River Pottery

Whether by design or divine destiny, our potters have always glazed the dogwood pottery pieces in hues of purple, which also represent the robe Jesus wore during the crucifixion.

The dogwood patterned pieces have become collectibles over the years, and a reminder to believers that “God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten son, that whosoever believeth in him shall not perish, but have everlasting life.” John 3:16