Diluvial Vessels, 2024
Tom Palmer
Diluvial Vessels, 2024
Recycled English lead-free pewter, excavation cast
17.75 x 10.5 in | 45 x 27 cm
custom sizes available
With their deeply primal aesthetic, the Diluvial Vessels evoke a sense of the ancient—half sculpted, half grown— reminiscent of artifacts shaped both by hand and larger forces of nature. Their raw, textured surfaces tell a story of creation through a distinctive excavation casting technique that balances intent with natural unpredictability.
Each vessel is cast in recycled pewter, using a method inspired by techniques passed down from Palmer’s grandfather. The form is created by digging into raw clay with bare hands to carve a void, into which molten pewter is poured. This dramatic process, where molten metal meets wet clay, results in volcanic textures and unique patterns that can not be replicated. The raw casts are then cleaned and polished to remove sharp edges, before being treated with layers of dark patina, allowing polished highlights to emerge and enhance their depth. Each piece is a singular creation, embodying the unpredictable beauty of its making.
