Appraising Very Large Production Quality Pots

[mrcasey]

A local club member's poor health has forced him to give up bonsai, and we've been asked to try to sell his pots. Almost all are production grade. Examples of the smaller ones can be found on Ebay and elsewhere on the web. However, he has some really big ones that I'm having trouble pricing. Here are some of the pots and dimensions:

Late generation mass produced Yaamaki unglazed shallow oval 28"
Late generation mass produced Yaamaki unglazed rectangle 32"
Unmarked cream glazed shallow oval with crack running from rim to foot 30"

If the pots are used, does this detract from value?
How much do severe structural cracks detract from value?

 

[River's Edge]

A local club member's poor health has forced him to give up bonsai, and we've been asked to try to sell his pots. Almost all are production grade. Examples of the smaller ones can be found on Ebay and elsewhere on the web. However, he has some really big ones that I'm having trouble pricing. Here are some of the pots and dimensions:

Late generation mass produced Yaamaki unglazed shallow oval 28"
Late generation mass produced Yaamaki unglazed rectangle 32"
Unmarked cream glazed shallow oval with crack running from rim to foot 30"

If the pots are used, does this detract from value?
How much do severe structural cracks detract from value?

Some aspects that will determine local market value. I would check with more experienced individuals in your state/ region.
Are those particular sizes easily obtained or are they no longer being production made in those sizes. If they are hard to obtain or no longer in production, larger sizes can retain fair value. Depends on your market and how often they become available. The shallow oval may not be as desirable because few hobbyists have tree that will fit in very shallow containers. Those that do, the trees are usually higher quality and production pots are not the best choice for them.
What condition are the pots in? water stains, chips, uneven base etc.
They do not gain in value if they are late generation in terms of older is better at this point. ie: not antique, no patina to consider.
Structural cracks would significantly decrease the value. Some may feel they can use/repair and be prepared to pay if very reasonably priced. say 1/4 or less of original price.

 

[rockm]

A local club member's poor health has forced him to give up bonsai, and we've been asked to try to sell his pots. Almost all are production grade. Examples of the smaller ones can be found on Ebay and elsewhere on the web. However, he has some really big ones that I'm having trouble pricing. Here are some of the pots and dimensions:

Late generation mass produced Yaamaki unglazed shallow oval 28"
Late generation mass produced Yaamaki unglazed rectangle 32"
Unmarked cream glazed shallow oval with crack running from rim to foot 30"

If the pots are used, does this detract from value?
How much do severe structural cracks detract from value?

Severe structural cracks are a deal breaker. Those cracks will get worse or end in disaster since the bigger the pot the more stress it’s under.

I have purchased pots in the 28” to 30” range. They’re hard to come by and price would depend on how hard such a container has been used. Some minor chips on edges/feet Aren’t a big deal. Once had a very large Tokoname pot (30” if I remember right). Had a substantial chunk of a chip out of one corner. Bought the pot from Chase Rosade for $300 but that was 25 years ago

Large Japanese pots are more valuable in general than large Chinese pots because they’ve become rarer these days while large Chinese pots are more common

Wigerts has probably the largest selection of big to enormous bonsai pots in the U.S. they range in price from $300 to well over $2000. They’re new pots and Wigerts ships all over the country. Worth looking to compare

XL Ceramic Pots – Wigert’s Bonsai

 

[rockm]

Pics help

 

[BrightsideB]

I agree looking at wigerts as well as EBay to figure your price. If you want to sell quickly then you’ll have to drop the price most likely around 20-30% from the competition. It’ll sell quicker. Maybe within days from my experience.

Depending on what you have. It may be wise to sell them as a group for a discount locally. Or do a consignment at a bonsai nursery (takes longer to sell).

It really depends on your goals. Sell quickly will lower profit, selling slowly maximizing profit.

Also online can be a pain without the proper infrastructure. I’ve sold and shipped over 900 pots. Pictures, proper measurements, having to pack, and then shipping. Any discrepancy or a pot cracking in transit could create an unhappy customer and a refund. Maybe also a loss from just selling in bulk locally.

But if you have the time then it could be worth it. And maybe a fun experience. Not trying to deter you but it’s a lot of work and time online.

 

[rockm]

Shipping is an issue. Wigerts was the only place I could find that shipped BIG pots. Found a few other places 500 miles out with smaller selections who wouldn’t ship.

 

[River's Edge]

Pics help

View attachment 621071

Current perspective. 24 inch oval Reiho. New production quality. 70,000 yen at Taikan Ten. Shipping extra. Inside dimensions 21 by 14 by 21/2. Does not fit in standard shipping boxes. So oversized luggage or shipping box from Japan.

 

[Bonsai Nut]

Severe structural cracks are a deal breaker.

Agreed. I wouldn't touch a pot with a crack.

 

[rockm]

Current perspective. 24 inch oval Reiho. New production quality. 70,000 yen at Taikan Ten. Shipping extra. Inside dimensions 21 by 14 by 21/2. Does not fit in standard shipping boxes. So oversized luggage or shipping box from Japan.

Nice price but shipping from Japan? Luggage would seem to be a death sentence?

 

[mrcasey]

Someone on here has already pm'd me. I'm going to give our club members first dibs, but I doubt that I'll have takers on the more expensive stuff. I've been looking at Ryan Bell's blog and Facebook ID page. We've got a bunch of what I believe are modern Chinese pots. Some don't have chops and some do. I may end up posting a few more pots on here just because. Along with this site, Ryan's pages, and chatgpt, I've been trying to identify provenance and value. Chatgpt, at first, misidentified this pot - said it was modern Chinese, but it's definitely Yaamaki production work. I

 

[Bonsai Nut]

Chatgpt, at first, misidentified this pot

Well the good news is that it was only a pot, and not a medical diagnosis

 

[River's Edge]

Nice price but shipping from Japan? Luggage would seem to be a death sentence?

Solution was a Carry-on shopping bag 700 yen from a local 7-eleven store near the Kyoto train station. The rest were smaller and were packed well in my checked baggage. No extra cost, no breakage. The pot broker agreed that it would require a larger than usual box with extra packing and even then no guarantees. So, I hand carried it from the Show to the hotel, hotel to the bullet train, switch to local train and then off to Narita Airport. Set it carefully in the overhead bin with my small backpack and coat. took it off the plane in Vancouver , shuttle to the car and off to the ferry! I did use flat cellular foam, tape and bubble wrap with good cord prior to setting in the shopping bag. Arrived in perfect condition!
PS: one needs to ignore all those requests to check carry on for free! Also best to have only one item like this, not in addition to backpack or carryon.

The other seven pots I purchased were packed similarly in checked luggage and all arrived safely. It pays to take bubble wrap with you.