What makes a good pot?

[Solange]

Here is your chance to weigh in on what makes a good pot. Have at it!

 

[GrimLore]

Referring to Bonsai pots

I have a tendency to use high-fired pots more then others as they stay in one piece all Winter outside. Coupled with proper drainage is what I go for and tend to avoid glazes. Shape and color depends on the plant.

Grimmy

 

[jeremy_norbury]

Hard to explain (just like good trees) but you know it when you see it.

I find that pots not only have to look good, but they have to feel right in your hands; they have a presence and a weight.

They have a consistency of surface finish and thickness of clay. A hard-fired feel (for me) whilst having a delicate glaze or sheen (or matt-ness).

 

[Steve Kudela]

Here is your chance to weigh in on what makes a good pot. Have at it!

clay

 

[Sunwyrm]

Speaking of making good pots... Does anyone here make their own? Thinking about getting back into pottery, and wondering if it's cheaper/better to make my own.

 

[Solange]

clay

Not concrete, glass, metal, wood, stone, or hard cheese? I like man who knows what he likes.

 

[Nwaite]

I like my pot to have a nice skunky smell to it... sticky but not wet... oh and multi colored hairs.

Like Norbury " it must feel right in your hands"

 

[Sunwyrm]

I like my pot to have a nice skunky smell to it... sticky but not wet... oh and multi colored hairs.

Like Norbury " it must feel right in your hands"

Where's that red pot challenge thread....

 

[Anthony]

Yes, I make my own ------ K
It is much more satisfying to draw the Design and add on the Frame ---- K

 

[Steve Kudela]

Not concrete, glass, metal, wood, stone, or hard cheese? I like man who knows what he likes.

Welllll............... from time to time duct tape can work, it all depends on the tree..........................yuk, yuk!

 

[Paradox]

It holds the tree and the soil together
Lets water drain freely
Doesnt break or crack easily or when freezing
Compliments and doesnt fight with the tree that is in it for attention

 

[fourteener]

Stoneware is a must in my climate. Simple perfection or complex design. Age, patina, complex glaze, weight. I don't always know what I'm looking for but I know what I want when I see it. Then it usually costs a lot.

 

[Solange]

I appreciate everyones comments so far. For those who missed it this is a chance to continue some of the discussion that spun off from the topic in the American Bonsai Potters thread started by @thams. It's an admirable thing to try and compile a resource like that. We have some potters on here who were weighing in and may be kind enough to share their thoughts here as well (@hometeamrocker @Stickroot ) and there were some thoughts from @Smoke and @rockm as well as myself. Included in my OP question is also the flip - what makes a bonsai pot bad? What absolutely is unacceptable to you? What makes you fall in love with a particular pot, or potter. Are american potters crap, do you only put your trust in europe or japan etc for your pots? Or do you only buy american pots? Does artistic license belong to the potter and taste is up to the buyer? Rich territory, and one we've been skirting around for a while. Someone (i think maybe @Vin?) suggested a post on what makes a good pot, so if you are knowledgable and would like to share feel free!

 

[Stickroot]

The ring!
If you balance a pot upside down on one finger, give it a flick with your finger nail and listen to the ring it gives.
The higher pitch it is the better.
Linn August and Randy Doughty produce some of the highest pitch I have ever heard, Begei is another high ringer. This is telling you that the clay or stoneware is as vitreous as it can possibly get, meaning that it is close to as durable a Corel or porcelain.

 

[fourteener]

Deiju pots ring like a musical instrument. They are the one decently priced pot I really love.

 

[sorce]

I thought this was going to be for visually.

If all these pots we have been talking about are electric blue and deep as shit....

Who cares if they break!

Hahahahahah!

Sorce

 

[Anthony]

Sorce,

hee hee Electric Blue is called Import Blue, K has one stuck up on the top of the rig steel swing
his dad made for them as children.

It is the ugliest pot ever

Here endeth comment to the Master Sorce.
__________________________________________________________________

Simple rule ---------------- as frame is to painting, so pot is to tree.

So when someone says great pot and sees not your tree ----------- well ?????????

Good Day
Anthony

 

[fourteener]

So when someone says great pot and sees not your tree ----------- well ?????????

Sometimes I buy a pot for a tree, sometimes I buy a pot for what it is.
Gekkou, kutani ikou, for their hand painted brilliance
Wajaku, for the amazing precision and simplicity
Yamasyo, intricate carving
Antique Chinese, patina
Tofukuji, any of a number of great qualities
Deiju, scale, quality clay, attention to detail
Koyo, shuho, bushuan, Roy, flowing glazes

Sometimes a tree needs a pot, sometimes I find a pot that needs a tree.

Collecting pots that inspire me is a sideline hobby to bonsai. When they go together it's great. If the don't, then I have something to enjoy all winter inside!!

 

[rockm]

This is a difficult question. A growing number of bonsai folks are collecting pots who aren't looking to use them with trees. That's great, but those pots are in (I think), a completely different category from functional pots that will house actual trees. The collector pots can be just about anything, while (IMO), great functional pots require more skill to design and make.

 

[Anthony]

I collect carved Jade and sometimes beautiful vases or beautiful bowls.
If it catches my eye.

Not much into Bonsai pots as ornaments, but some can be very beautiful.
Good Day
Anthony