This form was one a family of three which won a merit award at the 2001 National Pottery Exhibition held at the Museum of Art and History, Hamilton, 2001. According to Robin Sinclair the form of the work was based on ventifacts ( rocks shaped by the erosive action of wind-blown sand) found near Waitotara in south Taranaki. The mixed stain, frit and painting media decoration was fired to 1080 degrees and was modelled from rock art found mainly in the South Island. The clay used was a mix of terracotta and low fire white to give the desired colour. This was then textured with carefully selected crushed and mixed grog (crushed unglazed pottery) to mimic the look and feel of Taranaki volcanic stone. The form was selected for the Taranaki Museum collection by Wellington potter Gloria Young, at the New Plymouth Potters exhibition held at the museum in August 2001.