WTB Large Unglazed Pot

[reddog]

Hello. Looking for a large rectangular unglazed container for one of my Conifer trees:

Color: light/medium brown or gray.
Size: Aprox. 19-21" wide and around 7" deep.
Make: Preferably Japanese but I'm open.
Lip: flare outward
Feet: inset (prefer not flush with walls of pot)
Budget: $350 to $750 depending on maker
Timeframe: before December 1st

Thanks!

 

[vp999]

I have many Tokoname and Chinese pot that size but the 7" deep might be a problem..I'll take a look tomorrow. Where are you located because shipping a large pot is not such an easy task.

 

[The Barber]

Have you checked Matt Ouwinga's shop Kaedebonsau-en on ebay? He usually has some nice sized Tokoname pots for sale for reasonable prices that he imports from Japan. The dude packs his pots amazingly as well.

For ease of finding him, here's a link to an unglazed pot he has listed within the specifications you mentioned. Search his shop if you haven't.

Beautiful Unglazed Tokoname Bonsai Tree Pot By Eiraku 19 3/4” Large, Cloud Feet | eBay

Hi, This pot was made by Eiraku. I love pots from this maker. I don’t get them to often but when I do I really enjoy the dense clay quality and they often have nice age on them like this one. Not sure if their modern production or not, but this is an older 20-30 years Minimum, pot. No cracks...

ebay.us

 

[vp999]

I second this ..Matt is awesome and he probably have the most Tokoname pots inventory in the US.

 

[bdmatt]

Agreed with vp999. The 7 inch depth may be an issue. I would message you a couple of pots but your profile is private

 

[rockm]

Matt may have a few that large but he told me once that 20”the he stays away from pots over that size. They require additional shipping charges and he has had a high loss rate with them. Definitely check with him. Whatever he has is extremely fine quality and has some age.

You also might check Wigerts in Fla. they specialize in large and HUGE pots. They will also ship them (while some sellers of larger pots require in person pick up). Larger pots over 20 inches tend to be Chinese and they’re not bad for the most part. I bought a 27” chinese pot from Wigerts two years ago. Shipped it to Va no issues. It’s pretty good quality and massive (50 lbs empty). It looks to have been hand finished as well.

Pots Above 15 Inches – Wigert’s Bonsai

 

[reddog]

I have many Tokoname and Chinese pot that size but the 7" deep might be a problem..I'll take a look tomorrow. Where are you located because shipping a large pot is not such an easy task.

thanks for reply. located in Oregon. You're right about size and distance but I'm anticipating cost for packing/shipping.

 

[reddog]

Have you checked Matt Ouwinga's shop Kaedebonsau-en on ebay? He usually has some nice sized Tokoname pots for sale for reasonable prices that he imports from Japan. The dude packs his pots amazingly as well.

For ease of finding him, here's a link to an unglazed pot he has listed within the specifications you mentioned. Search his shop if you haven't.

Beautiful Unglazed Tokoname Bonsai Tree Pot By Eiraku 19 3/4” Large, Cloud Feet | eBay

Hi, This pot was made by Eiraku. I love pots from this maker. I don’t get them to often but when I do I really enjoy the dense clay quality and they often have nice age on them like this one. Not sure if their modern production or not, but this is an older 20-30 years Minimum, pot. No cracks...

ebay.us

Hi, Yes I've checked his eBay shop a few times and the problem is the depth. Thank you for the suggestion and I'll keep looking at his eBay shop.

 

[reddog]

I second this ..Matt is awesome and he probably have the most Tokoname pots inventory in the US.

agreed. thank you!

 

[reddog]

Matt may have a few that large but he told me once that 20”the he stays away from pots over that size. They require additional shipping charges and he has had a high loss rate with them. Definitely check with him. Whatever he has is extremely fine quality and has some age.

You also might check Wigerts in Fla. they specialize in large and HUGE pots. They will also ship them (while some sellers of larger pots require in person pick up). Larger pots over 20 inches tend to be Chinese and they’re not bad for the most part. I bought a 27” chinese pot from Wigerts two years ago. Shipped it to Va no issues. It’s pretty good quality and massive (50 lbs empty). It looks to have been hand finished as well.

Pots Above 15 Inches – Wigert’s Bonsai

Thanks for the update about Ouwinga caveat. I'll definitely check with Wigerts and see if I have any luck. I would even try domestic potters but kind of tough finding throwers with this large of a kiln. Thanks again for your notes/suggestions.

 

[reddog]

I have many Tokoname and Chinese pot that size but the 7" deep might be a problem..I'll take a look tomorrow. Where are you located because shipping a large pot is not such an easy task.

Hi. located in Oregon. size could be an issue....I better sign up for pottery lessons!

 

[reddog]

Agreed with vp999. The 7 inch depth may be an issue. I would message you a couple of pots but your profile is private

Profile changed....I believe. thx

 

[rockm]

FWIW you’re likely not going to find a decent ceramic pot that deep. At least not very easily. Don’t know why it requires that kind of depth but if it’s to accommodate old roots it will be easier (and more cost effective) to reduce the root mass

Also mica pots tend to have more depth and the larger version’s approach that depth.

 

[reddog]

FWIW you’re likely not going to find a decent ceramic pot that deep. At least not very easily. Don’t know why it requires that kind of depth but if it’s to accommodate old roots it will be easier (and more cost effective) to reduce the root mass

Also mica pots tend to have more depth and the larger version’s approach that depth.

My tree is a yamadori conifer that is in a 24" oval pot that is 9-10" deep (OD). I agree the roots can and should be reduced.

 

[The Barber]

You might also be able to contact Myrick Bonsai Pottery, I talked to them at a recent show and he said they would do commissions...think I bought 8 pots from them, and they are really top notch pots.

Home | Myrick Bonsai Pottery https://share.google/VQg5z99lhGDUfITcm

I'm sure plenty of others can chime in about their quality, I know I'm impressed with their pots.

 

[rockm]

You might also be able to contact Myrick Bonsai Pottery, I talked to them at a recent show and he said they would do commissions...think I bought 8 pots from them, and they are really top notch pots.

Home | Myrick Bonsai Pottery https://share.google/VQg5z99lhGDUfITcm

I'm sure plenty of others can chime in about their quality, I know I'm impressed with their pots.

Most bonsai potters will take commissions. I’ve done it a few times. Works very well. If you’re after a very large pot over 20” or so you have to find a potter who has a kiln and equipment to work on something that big

Additionally big pots are big investments not only for the buyer, but also for the potter. That much clay costs a lot of money. the time to build and dry it properly can also take a month or more. there are also many things that can and do go
Sideways with firing etc. I commissioned a big 19” nanban from a pretty well known uk potter. The pot fired wrong twice (warp sag etc). He had to make the pot three times and he wound up deep in the red between clay cost,kiln space (pot took up space that couldn’t be used for other pots) and his time


So definitely aalso about commissions. See if the potter can accommodate the size and expect possible issues and delays in the production process. You will likely wind up with a pot you will be very happy with.

 

[reddog]

You might also be able to contact Myrick Bonsai Pottery, I talked to them at a recent show and he said they would do commissions...think I bought 8 pots from them, and they are really top notch pots.

Home | Myrick Bonsai Pottery https://share.google/VQg5z99lhGDUfITcm

I'm sure plenty of others can chime in about their quality, I know I'm impressed with their pots.

Thanks for the Myrick Pottery suggestion....I'll definitely reach out and see if there is enough time to take on a commission.

 

[reddog]

Most bonsai potters will take commissions. I’ve done it a few times. Works very well. If you’re after a very large pot over 20” or so you have to find a potter who has a kiln and equipment to work on something that big

Additionally big pots are big investments not only for the buyer, but also for the potter. That much clay costs a lot of money. the time to build and dry it properly can also take a month or more. there are also many things that can and do go
Sideways with firing etc. I commissioned a big 19” nanban from a pretty well known uk potter. The pot fired wrong twice (warp sag etc). He had to make the pot three times and he wound up deep in the red between clay cost,kiln space (pot took up space that couldn’t be used for other pots) and his time


So definitely aalso about commissions. See if the potter can accommodate the size and expect possible issues and delays in the production process. You will likely wind up with a pot you will be very happy with.

Appreciate the feedback on commission work. I've done it one time and communication is critical.