Condiment dip dish heats evenly and retains heat for a long period of time. The porous nature of the clay allows for slow evaporation of steam producing healthier, tastier food Take directly to the table for elegant presentation Expect each piece to have imperfections. These are not industially produced. This piece is made by hand over a 10 day process which includes adding black color by smoke. Dimensions may vary Clay is one of the most abundant natural material on earth. Its composition of minerals and metals on it are similar to those found in the human body. Therefore, all the utensils made of clay are ideal for culinary use.