Much of the bonsai in Taiwan seems to pair truly remarkable trees with truly remarkable pots. Not that the best bonsai elsewhere aren’t usually in suitably excellent pots, but still, there’s something both bold and refined about these uniquely beautiful hand-painted Taiwanese pots that create extra excitement and pleasure (something like that anyway).
I found these photos on facebook a while back, but now, after spending 30 minutes looking for the source, I’ve given up. This is a little embarrassing because I’m usually a bit of a fanatic about attribution. I guess we’ll just have to wait for Jose Luis to come to the rescue (stay posted to the comments below).
Love the way the pattern on the pot seems to follow the flow of the tree. Whether this is intentional or not doesn’t matter as it creates a stunning combination
Peter, I would guess that it is intentional. It would be if I had the trees and pots of that quality. That is some serious artistry.
Wayne,
The first Hibiscus tiliaceus belongs to Mr. Wu Weng Feng. The second Hibiscus tiliaceus belongs to Mr. Wang Xiang Lan. Mr. Wang really likes hibiscus and has displayed many of his works in the Taiwan Bonsai Creators Association annual show. The third, a Pyracantha angustifolia, blongs to Mr. Huang Chun Mu, a specialist in flowering and fruiting bonsai. He also has really beautiful bougainvillea bonsai.
About the hibiscus, most of these come from Miaoli County, where they were originally old hedge plants, fantastically trained into the present shape. Most of the more valuable Hibiscus tiliaceus specimens come from Kenting, a town in Pindong County, located at the southernmost tip of the island of Taiwan. Growing over coral rock and beaten by the coastal winds, their bark, movement and hard wood are of the highest quality. Other specimens, do not have such durable wood and wonderful bark characteristics.
The painted pots you see here are sold by Mr. Lee, a pot merchant from south Taiwan. He also sells high quality porcelain shohin bonsai pots. The ones in your pictorial, huge by the way, are not porcelain. They are regular stoneware pots that have been masterfully painted and then refired.
Warm regards,
Jose Luis