Firing “accidents” become unique pieces

Silver coloured bronze (or white bronze) is particularly difficult to fire, or my kiln has problems and the temperature is not even. Besides, this bronze does not have a very wide firing temperature range

Left firing at good temperature , right firing almost at melt temperature

When it overheats , the bronze starts to melt and the result is mostly a ball of metal . But every now and then some of the metal starts to bead up which gives a very interesting look. These near misses become really unique pieces that I keep and sell of course.

Left white bronze that has overheated (I love it) right yellow bronze normal firing it would be the same with white bronze without overheating.

I have tried in vain to reproduce the phenomenon but it depends on the space in the kiln, the number of pieces firing, the location high up in the charcoal containers and I have had dozens of pieces lost for 1 or 2 such pieces.Besides, impossible to get this effect with yellow bronze or copper. 😀