Patina on pots

[Adair M]

Here is an excellent article by Michael Ryan Bell about patina:

Patina, Part 1, Philosophy and Gallery

I once heard a well known American bonsai potter state that patina on bonsai pottery is just dirt, cracks, and chips. It isn’t. For starters, cracks and chips are not patina, they’re defects. Secon…

japanesebonsaipots.net

 

[Brian Van Fleet]

It’s a good article. At this point, I’m only buying pots that have appearance of age. This pot was a recent buy, and in addition to the great proportions, look at the patina on it! It’s not stamped, and wasn’t expensive, but a weathered juniper will look outstanding in this thing.

 

[Cadillactaste]

Good read, thanks for sharing Adair.

 

[penumbra]

Thank you. I am looking forward to the follow up article on developing patina and faux patina. Having worked extensivly on antiques and artifacts (primarily Asian) for 30 years, patina is a much discussed and observed indicator of great interest.

 

[namnhi]

Why is it a big deal? School me but I think this is something everyone can do... just use the damn pot and patina will come. I don't think there is any special thing one has to do to get it.

 

[ABCarve]

Why is it a big deal? School me but I think this is something everyone can do... just use the damn pot and patina will come. I don't think there is any special thing one has to do to get it.

The special thing is waiting for it to happen. Kind of like watching grass grow.

 

[Dav4]

Why is it a big deal? School me but I think this is something everyone can do... just use the damn pot and patina will come. I don't think there is any special thing one has to do to get it.

You're correct. Patina will develop in time assuming the pot is in constant/frequent use... and be ready to wait upwards of 20 years or more- I heard MRB that porcelain pots may take closer to 40 years.

 

[Dav4]

This is one of mine... still looking for the right tree.

 

[Dav4]

This one's still waiting on a worthy pairing, too.

 

[penumbra]

Why is it a big deal? School me but I think this is something everyone can do... just use the damn pot and patina will come. I don't think there is any special thing one has to do to get it.

It is a big deal, especially for past generations that appreciated such things. You are right that it will come if you use the pot .... and live to observe it. A decent patina takes decades at a minimum and can be hundreds or eve thousands years old. In the business of antiquities and antiques there is a patina and there is honest patina which is well deserved. I once had a pot from the Han Dynasty, 206 BC to 220 AD. It was in very good condition and beyond a patina.

 

[ceriano]

has anybody tried obenauf? This is what I use on raw leather and wood to accelerate patina.

https://www.amazon.com/Obenaufs-Leather-Condition-Restore-Applicator/dp/B003EAW57E/ref=pd_lpo_263_img_0/141-2993328-9223021?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B003EAW57E&pd_rd_r=eeac1f24-a5ba-44d9-a6b6-6c29d2c4f2c9&pd_rd_w=ggPCZ&pd_rd_wg=KpnR8&pf_rd_p=2eae1586-a44a-4b21-997a-1dfc1740e496&pf_rd_r=X3HD6VZ88RF8T9QV5AEP&psc=1&refRID=X3HD6VZ88RF8T9QV5AEP

 

[MrWunderful]

I dont think it works on glazes.

And if you dont “get” patina, then you havent held a proper old pot.

Once you get your hands on something that had had trees planted in it for 200 years, shuffled around and moved with care, you will understand.

 

[hemmy]

View attachment 361299

Assuming the white is hard water buildup. There is none on the feet or top of lip. How do you clean it off without removing the patina?

 

[ceriano]

I dont think it works on glazes.

And if you dont “get” patina, then you havent held a proper old pot.

Once you get your hands on something that had had trees planted in it for 200 years, shuffled around and moved with care, you will understand.

no but it does darken the unglazed.

 

[Brian Van Fleet]

Assuming the white is hard water buildup. There is none on the feet or top of lip. How do you clean it off without removing the patina?

I’m not going to worry about it. Using vinegar or CLR and scrubbing with a toothbrush would likely remove it.

 

[sorce]

Assuming the white is hard water buildup. There is none on the feet or top of lip. How do you clean it off without removing the patina?

It was prevented, the bottom was probably not oiled, probly should oil bottoms heh!

Sorce

 

[penumbra]

probly should oil bottoms heh!

Well all right then.

 

[jaco94]

The sebum from our hands also helps improve the patina in the very long term, so don't hesitate ...

 

[arjun]

Thanks for forwarding the article @Adair M ! It’s a good read.
An important thing to consider is patina on painted pots. IMO patina on a painted pot looks amazing and thats when it should be used in a show. Some of the painted pots look very bright in a shohin display so having patina gives it a good balance.

But make sure it’s not covering the whole painting. For example, I am adding pictures of my Daisuke Sano pot. I keep this pot inside my house so it doesn’t get more patina.

 

[Tidal Bonsai]

I g

It’s a good article. At this point, I’m only buying pots that have appearance of age. This pot was a recent buy, and in addition to the great proportions, look at the patina on it! It’s not stamped, and wasn’t expensive, but a weathered juniper will look outstanding in this thing.
View attachment 361297View attachment 361298View attachment 361299

I got this unstamped pot from Matt O. that is the same way. Good price, good patina, good build, but no chop.