Review of <i>Iron in the Fire</i>, the 83-page catalogue of an exhibition held recently at the Ashmolean Museum, Oxford, and a unique example of an 'Art' exhibition based entirely on a scientific theme. The importance of the use of oxides of iron in pottery throughout the ages is discussed, including their use by Chinese potters to give color and texture to their glazes and clays. The article stresses the fact that it is the fundamental composition of the glazes rather than the iron content which is ultimately responsible for the resulting transparency, opacity, fluidity, and crackle or crazing of ceramics. -- AATA