Our Process
At Mervyn Gers Ceramics, every piece begins and ends in our Cape Town studio.
What makes our work truly distinctive is that every stage of the journey happens under one roof. From developing our own clay body and signature glazes to printing our own ceramic transfers and handcrafting every piece, we oversee every detail with care and intention.
This rare level of in-house craftsmanship allows us to create ceramics of exceptional quality, character and authenticity. Every piece passes through approximately 22 pairs of skilled hands before it reaches yours.
Our Clay
Every piece begins with our own clay body.
Developed over five years in collaboration with international ceramic specialists and the University of Cape Town, our bespoke clay body was created specifically for the way we design, shape and fire our ceramics.
By producing our own clay, we have complete control over the foundation of every piece, ensuring the strength, durability and distinctive character that define Mervyn Gers Ceramics.
Our Glazes
Colour is one of the signatures of Mervyn Gers Ceramics.
Every glaze is uniquely developed and refined in our studio, allowing us to create the depth, movement and rich tonal variation for which our collections are known. During firing, each glaze responds uniquely to the kiln, giving every piece its own individual character.
Our glazes are food safe, while our finished ceramics are independently tested for strength and durability, exceeding international standards. Beautiful enough to admire, durable enough to be enjoyed every day.
production - fettling
Once a piece has been formed, it enters the fettling stage, where every edge, surface and detail is carefully refined by hand.
This is where excess clay is removed, seams are smoothed and each form is finished with precision before drying and firing. It is a meticulous process that ensures consistency, balance and a clean, considered finish.
Though often unseen, fettling plays an essential role in the final character of each piece, preserving the quality and craftsmanship that define Mervyn Gers Ceramics.
bisque firing
The first firing is known as bisque firing, an essential stage in the journey from raw clay to finished ceramic.
At this point, each piece is fired at a carefully controlled temperature to strengthen the clay and prepare it for glazing. This transforms the fragile, unfired form into a durable porous body ready to receive its final surface.
Bisque firing lays the foundation for everything that follows, ensuring each piece is stable, strong and ready for the next stage of its making.
glaze development
Every glaze begins with research, testing and refinement in our Cape Town studio.
Through an ongoing process of experimentation, we carefully adjust minerals, oxides and firing conditions to create glazes with depth, movement and lasting beauty. Even the smallest variation can transform the final result, which is why every recipe is developed with precision and patience.
This commitment to in-house glaze development allows us to create surfaces that are distinctive to Mervyn Gers Ceramics and impossible to replicate by chance.
kiln stacking
Before firing, every piece is carefully stacked by hand in the kiln.
This stage requires both technical skill and experience, as the placement of each item influences how heat moves through the kiln and how the glaze ultimately develops. Spacing, balance and position are all considered to protect the work and achieve the best possible result.
Kiln stacking is one of the final preparations before transformation, where careful planning gives way to the alchemy of fire.
Our Transfers
Our collections begin as original artwork.
Using the traditional craft of silkscreen printing, every design is produced in-house, with each colour carefully printed layer by layer onto ceramic transfer paper. Every transfer is then individually applied by hand before the piece returns to the kiln, permanently bonding the artwork to the ceramic.
This meticulous process gives our decorated collections remarkable depth, colour and character, while preserving the individuality that defines handmade craftsmanship.
Handmade, One Piece at a Time
Every Mervyn Gers Ceramics piece is individually formed, finished, glazed, decorated and carefully inspected by hand in our Cape Town studio.
Our ceramics are never mass-produced. Instead, each plate, bowl, mug and platter passes through approximately 22 pairs of skilled hands, with every artisan contributing to its story.
The subtle variations in shape, glaze, texture and finish are a natural result of this process and the hallmark of authentic handmade ceramics. No two pieces are ever exactly alike, making every item uniquely its own.
Wherever possible, we work responsibly by sourcing locally, reducing waste, reusing materials and packaging our ceramics using environmentally considered, recyclable materials.