It could come in a box, and be different every time it is assembled. The clay scales are raku fired. Raku is an ancient Japanese method of glazing. Each clay piece is heated to a red hot state in a kiln. Quickly, an airtight lid is clamped down.
Flames consume the oxygen and create a vacuum.
Minerals from within the clay are drawn to the surface of the clay where they mix with the chemicals in the applied raku glaze. Instantly, a chemical reaction begins to take place and crimsons and coppers and turquoise and irredescents appear, depending on the minerals present and glaze used and timing and heat and oxygen. There are a lot of variables, which produce an infinite variety of results. John's Portrait A photograph of John would show you how he looks. The portrait here, which is done with photocopied images, tells instead, how he feels.