Mini pots, by Jim Barrett. No doubt there are smaller bonsai pots somewhere, but still, these are almost down to the magnifying glass range.
Two posts ago…
… we featured some very small bonsai. This provoked a discussion about tiny pots where someone (Randy Davis of the Minnesota Bonsai Society) mentioned Jim Barrett pots. Though I am sure there are others who sell tiny pots (Robert Steven, a frequent contributor to Bonsai Bark, mentioned some that are made in China), this might provide a starting point for those of you who are interested.
Brandywine
The Brandywine Bonsai Society’s website includes a one-of-a-kind section on North American pots and potters, which is where all the photos in this post are from.
Yixing bonsai pots
BTW, in case you haven’t noticed, Stone Lantern now offers bonsai pots. Many are Yixing pots. Yixing is an area in China that is renowned for its fine clay. Some of the finest bonsai pots in the world come from Yixing.
Not quite mini, but small. By Wendy Heller (we’ve featured her before). I have some of Wendy’s earthy little pots. They are among my favorites. Photo from Brandywine.
Maybe not tiny, but most certainly striking. By Nikki D’Amico. Photo from Brandywine.
Debbie’s red nailhead. By Ross Adams. Not small, but pretty slick. I like the clean lines and glossy glaze. Photo from Brandywine.
I have a love affair with mini bonsai pots that has all the characterisitics of addiction. These are the bonsai equivalent of attractive fishing lures. I have fished all my life. Early on I learned that the primary design function of new fishing lures, particularly flies, is to catch a fisherman; the secondary function is to catch a fish. So it is with mini bonsai pots. You could put a mame in them. But why–they look so good on my shelf as they are.
Hi Wayne
Nice post. Several Mini bonsai nurseries in Japan sell pots, This page from Bonsaimura
Has some really nice tinies!
http://translate.google.com/translate?sl=ja&tl=en&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.bonsaimura.net%2FSHOP%2F634622%2Flist.html
Some of my favorites in there are by Sano, Shoseki, and Haruyoshi.
Hi Wayne-
I appreciate the mention regarding the tiny Jim Barret pots, but I am Randy Davis from Blaine Minnesota. (Minnesota Bonsai Society)
I discovered his work when I took a workshop with him at the 2010 California Shohin Society convention in Santa Nella CA.
It is funny, Rodney Clemmons emailed me and asked if I had written a recent article which was actually penned by the gentleman of the same name from Kentucky.
Regards,
(The other)
Randy Davis
Thanks Ivan,
Well said. And understood. I’ve had a gorgeous tiny burnished Tokoname pot sitting empty on my shelf for years.
Thanks Ryan,
Those are some very sweet pots.
Sorry Randy,
I’ll see if I can fix it.