The artist's story

interpreter at Historic Somerset Place, throwing pots on-site for the public. This expertise culminated in a prestigious commission from North Carolina’s Cultural Resources to craft the heritage pottery collection for the site.

Today, Kilian is an nationally recognized artist revitalizing 21st-century ceramics through historically informed techniques. With over 20 years of experience—more than half of which has been dedicated to 17th- and 18th-century reproduction and revival ware—his work explores the non-linear nature of history. By "remixing" traditional forms, he creates a bridge between the craftsmanship of the past and the aesthetics of the present.

As a dedicated scholar of Early American ceramic technology, Kilian has utilized archaeological findings to rediscover lost techniques from both the Staffordshire factories of England and undocumented American potteries. This research allows him to master 300 years of tradition, earning him a dedicated following among collectors who value authenticity.

Kilian’s work spans earthenware, stoneware, and porcelain, often utilizing clays he personally sources, such as: Oklahoma Red Earthenware • Eastern North Carolina Bog Clay • Chatham Red Earthenware

His signature glazes—including the iconic Kilian Blue and Shamrock Dark Green—are complex alchemies of 8 to 13 earthen components sourced throughout North and South America, and India. While much of his portfolio is revivalist, he frequently explores contemporary forms and unconventional techniques to offer provocative representations of the modern world.

Operating under the motto, “Remembering how beautiful the useful things can be,” Kilian views clay as a medium for transformative dialogue. His work honors the anonymous artisans of history while exploring the possibilities of the sacred within the functional.

Currently, Kilian operates a fully equipped studio in Chatham, VA, and teaches year-round. He remains an active partner with cities, counties, and national historical sites, providing workshops on Colonial and Post-Colonial pottery to ensure the art of clay continues to resonate with future generations.

Kilian’s journey with clay began on an eastern North Carolina farm, where he discovered crayfish—locally known as "clayfish"—building mud chimneys. After the creatures moved on, he would collect and display these natural cylinders on reclaimed planks, a childhood fascination that sparked a lifelong vocation. Following formal guidance in 2003 from Carol Su Lee at the Pocosin Arts School of Fine Crafts, Kilian rapidly transitioned into a self-taught potter, blending raw instinct with technical discipline.

By 2007, he established his first professional studio in North Carolina’s Inner Banks, drawing travelers bound for the Outer Banks. His reputation grew through deep historical immersion; in 2012 and 2013, he served as a third-person

The Studio

At our studio, we design pottery for the rhythms of real life. Our process is defined by unique materials, time-honored techniques, and a rigorous attention to detail—ensuring every piece meets our uncompromising standards.

Craftsmanship

We believe true "handmade" quality requires more than just a passing touch. While others use industrial presses or molds and still claim the handmade label, we remain committed to traditional artistry:

• Wheel-Thrown: Every pot is individually turned on a potter's wheel.

• Hand-Detailed: We use traditional Oriental brushes to hand-paint our intricate glaze decorations.

• Human Touch: From the first wedge of clay to the final inspection, each piece is handled at least 20 times.

The Result: Authentic, durable pottery that carries the soul of the maker into your home.

The Materials

Glaze Alchemy

Kilian's glazes are a labor of love—a beautiful blend of artistry and science. Kilian don't just pick colors; we engineer them. The magic happens in the kiln, where Kilian's specialized clay bodies and unique glazes react to create his signature colors and a stunning finishes.

• Precision Chemistry: Every glaze consists of 3 to 10 earthen compounds, including raw clays, mixed with gram-level precision to ensure uncompromised quality.

• Small-Batch Craft: Kilian hand-mixes over 50 gallons of glaze annually, maintaining strict control over every batch.

The Clay

Clays are hand-selected to suit different functions, working with both Stoneware and Earthenware to bring out the best in every design.

Stoneware

Known for its incredible density and strength, our stoneware is the workhorse of the studio. We primarily utilize grey and beige tones, where varying iron levels create deep, organic colors.

• Vitrification: We fire stoneware at extreme temperatures until the clay compounds melt into a non-porous, glass-like state. This process ensures a hygienic, food-safe surface.

• The Quality Test: A well-fired stoneware pot will produce a resounding, metallic ring when tapped—much like a glass cup.

Earthenware

For pieces that require a more classic, porous, or vibrant aesthetic, we incorporate earthenware.

• Artistic Versatility: Fired at lower temperatures than stoneware, earthenware allows for a distinct palette of colors and a warmer, more traditional feel.

• Refined Texture: This clay offers a different level of plasticity, allowing us to explore diverse shapes and historical techniques while maintaining our signature KilianWare standards.

Trial & Error: Through years of testing, every clay body we use is meticulously mixed and fired to achieve the perfect balance of durability, vitrification, and beauty.

The process

Art is the journey, not the product. The journey of a KilianWare piece is a disciplined transformation from raw earth to refined art. Here is how we bridge the gap between clay and your home.

01 | Preparation

We source our raw clays from Pennsylvania and Missouri. These dry materials are custom-blended and hydrated to a workable moisture level before being wedged—a specialized kneading process that removes air pockets and aligns the clay’s memory.

03 | The Drying Room

02 | The Wheel

Every pot is individually hand-turned on a potter’s wheel. The master potter guides the clay through four distinct stages of shaping, infusing each piece with a unique character and professional style that machines simply cannot replicate.

Once the form is perfected, the pots are cut from the wheel head and moved to our drying room to begin their slow drying process. They are checked often to ensure pots are drying evenly to avoid crackage.

When the clay reaches a "leather hard" state, we hand-sponge every surface to ensure a pristine, smooth finish. Our standards are uncompromising: any piece that shows a flaw is immediately reclaimed and recycled back into wet clay.

04 | Refining & Quality Control

05 | The Signature

06 | The Bisque Fire

Once approved, each pot receives the KilianWare seal of authenticity. We hand-stamp the bottom with our signature logo, the brand name, the year of creation, and the pot’s individual production number.

The pots are loaded onto pine planks and transported to the kiln for their first firing at approximately 1960°F. This six-hour process transforms the fragile clay into durable, porous ceramic ready for decoration.

07 | Glazing

We use a blend of minerals sourced from across the country—including Florida, Georgia, and Texas—to create our glazes. These are applied via rinsing, dipping, or brushing. We then meticulously clean the "foot" of every pot to ensure it doesn't fuse to the kiln shelf.

08 | The High-Fire

09 | The Cooling

The glazed wares are set on High Alumina shelving for the final transformation. After two hours of "water smoking" to release residual gases, the kiln climbs to a peak temperature of 2232°F (1220°C) over a six-hour period to vitrify our stonewares.

Patience is the final ingredient. After the firing, the kiln requires 14 to 20 hours to cool. This slow descent in temperature is vital for the structural integrity of the stoneware and the final "bloom" of our signature glazes.