Jomon-inspired heads

Recently, I was looking at images of some Japanese figurines and fragments from the middle Jomon period, and I think it must have inspired me to make these little heads. I modelled them very quickly and instinctively, using scraps of clay mixed with sand, grog and gravel. They were bisque-fired to around 1000 degrees centigrade and then smoke-fired, using newspaper and tin foil as a temporary saggar ( this technique learned from Russel Fouts' article : "Oh Yes You Can! Smoke firing in an Electric Kiln" )

The head shown above is hollow and about three inches tall ..by pure chance, a chunk of clay fell off inside, so it happens to be a rattle as well!

This piece is only two inches tall and solid.