King Gorm's Chalice

King Gorm's Chalice

We've teamed up with the wonderful KarnKreft to bring you a very limited collection of stunning hand crafted stoneware!

King Gorm's Chalice has been inspired by the "King Gorm Hoard" in Jelling, where the design is featured on a silver cup of similar shape to these beautiful pieces.

Each of these pots are engraved entirely by hand. KarnKreft do their best to balance how they match the silver cup, with their own twists. The pot is made of red earthenware clay and then dipped, whilst only part way dried, into a white slip. When it's almost dry the design is carved, through the white layer and into the brown. This all must be done whilst the pot is still wet, else it will crack. Over the clay, there is a clear gloss glaze, which leaves the pot watertight and functional. Each chalice is made entirely by hand, from start to finish, making each one beautifully unique. They hold approx. 200 ml. 

Who was King Gorm?

"Gorm the Old" is the first historically recognised king of Denmark. However, it is likely that he only ruled over the Jutland peninsula from his chain in Jelling. It is here that we see a lot of carved rune stones with lettering mentioning Gorm the Old and his wife. 

According to the Jelling Stones, Gorm's son, Harald Bluetooth, "won all of Denmark". And became the first king of ALL of Denmark.

Who is KarnKreft?

"I work from a little garden shed, about six feet squared. I suppose it is falling down the hill. But it happens so slowly, about an inch a year. Despite the size and the evermore sloping nature of the shed, it is an important place, because here I make my livelihood. I am a potter by trade.

I call my shop Karn Kreft, ‘Karn’ means hill and ‘kreft’ means craft. They’re Cornish words, because Cornwall is my home. My neighbours are three doves, who watch me from the windowsill. I built their cote beside my pottery, so as to keep each other company.

A potter’s mark is their signature. Normally you will find it on the base of the pot somewhere. Mine is a broken arrow, or sometimes I will write Karn Kreft. Thus far I have sold around two hundred pots. So if you find another with my mark, you are very lucky."

- KarnKreft

To find out more visit here.

• 200 ml capacity approx.
• Red clay dipped in white slip
• Hand engraved
• Clear gloss glaze interior
• Please wash by hand 
• Do not put in the dishwasher or microwave