Just so you readers dont think I’m a one note collector, I’d like to take a post an showcase a few of my favorite pots in my collection by Western potters.
Peter Krebs
A Peter Krebs dragon pot, a relatively new and favorite addition to my collection…had for a song! The motif is classical Chinese, with dragons struggling over or rescuing a pearl. The craftsmanship in Krebs’ pots is first rate, and the level of detail to the carving on this piece is simply outstanding. One look at Mr. Krebs work in person is all it takes to conclude that he is the best western potter working today, on a par with some of the best contemporary Japanese and Chinese potters.
Michael Hagedorn, 14"
Michael Hagedorn, 4"
A couple of pots by Bonsai artist(and former Bonsai Potter) Michael Hagedorn. Really nice work, with well formed details. The large pot is extremely delicate, yet level with no warpage, a sign of a great potter. The Oxblood red glaze on the smaller piece is very nice as well.
Don Gould, 8"
A medium sized round drum pot with rivets from the late Don Gould. I have a few Gould pots, they were chance buys and I have doubts I’ll find them so cheap again. The craftsmanship in Gould’s pots is very nice, clean glazing, and soft lines.
Max Braverman, 8"
A medium round crackle glaze from the late, great Max Braverman. I have a bunch of Max’s pots, but this one is my favorite. Very avant garde and expressionistic.
Nick Lenz, 6" by 4"
Nick Lenz, 6" xby .75"
A couple of pots from great American yamadori collector, bonsai artist, and “crazy old hermit,” Nick Lenz. The flower shape and flecked glaze of the first piece are great, while the sandstone colored clay of the Bunjin style small pot is very nice.
Michelle Dougherty, 6"
A wonderful porcelain crackle glazed round. I have a couple of these, I believe they were made by Michelle Dougherty, but it could be Sara Rayner, the signature looks the same! Either way its a fantastic fine crackle!
Eldon Leis, 12"
A big wonky glazed pot with carved feet by Eldon A. Leis. Leis was a bonsai pioneer in Canada, so this wonky little piece carries a bit of Western bonsai history with it.
Jim Jenigan, 9"
Mustard yellow round by Jim Jenigan. As I understand it, Mr. Jenigan no longer makes bonsai pots, which is a shame, because this is a very nice piece, the only one of his in my collection.
Tom Dimig, 6"
I have a bunch of Dimigs in my collection, but I really love the thick drippy glaze on this one, created for the 1996 BCI convention, if memory serves.
Sara Rayner, 4"
And we’ll finish up with that ubiquitous of American potters, Sara Rayner. Normally Im not a huge fan of Sara’s work, Its just not my taste, but I really like the rustic simplicity of this little mottled blue round.
I hope you enjoyed looking at a few pots from my collection of Western potters! Next post: Ogurayama!
Japanese Bonsai Pots Blog 
What a great post! Very cool seeing one of Eldon’s pots. I have one of the first slab built pots he ever made, and wow is it wonky 🙂 He would hate for anyone to see it haha.
It’s a nice big pot, for sure! It’s wonky, but in a symmetrical way, looks intentional. Im just waiting for a nice literati maple to come along and it’ll have a tenant!
Thanks for the comment!
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Do you have any Lang’s pots in your collection?
Hey Aman,
Sure do. I really like Ron’s work. He gave an awesome lecture down here last summer with Guy Guidry.
Hi, for the pots of Michelle Dougherty i can ask her on facebook if you would like to be sure.
Kind regards, Guillaume
Thanks,
But since this post I’ve gotten it worked out, and know Michelle. The pots in question, were, in fact old Sara Rayner.
Thanks!
Huh?
“Huh?” Dale? While I have many more pots from Western Potters, this was just a small selection I felt like showcasing at the time.
Eldon Leis is my father and recently asked me to do a search on his name. I found this and he liked the “wonky” description of his pot. He believes that the pot should look as natural as the plant and in his mind it means organic and fluid shapes -not rigid squares or formal perfect circles. He tried to incorporate natural fluid lines in all his pots -even when making formal Japanese style squares and circles. He no longer makes pots -he is in his 80’s and mostly retired except for painting special pieces when the muse strikes. Thank you for including him as a bonsai pioneer -he finds that quite flattering.
Wow! Too cool! Thanks for taking the time to write! These comments are some of my favorite. I’ve heard from the sons and daughters of some of the greatest artists, and it’s always nice to get more!
It was a real pain figuring out who made that pot, I’ll tell you that! It was sold as somebody else, don’t remember who, maybe Braverman. I was extremely surprised when it showed up signed “Leis”.