Bonsai pots value

Steven1969s · Oct 8, 2016

Just came back from an estate sale and bought about 100 bonsai pots
All of them seem to be from Japan. According to the seller, they were used and stored 30 years ago in a basement.
Can someone look at these and let me know what you think.
I just cleaned out the mame size one. The large ones need to be cleaned.

Steven1969s · Oct 8, 2016

Some more pics

sorce · Oct 8, 2016

Score! (

?)

$?

Score?

Nice!

Sorce

Steven1969s · Oct 8, 2016

How can I find out who's signatures these are?
I looked all over and can't find anything on these.

thams · Oct 8, 2016

Steven1969s said:
How can I find out who's signatures these are?
I looked all over and can't find anything on these.

This chop/signature page is probably your best bet for identifying the maker. Nothing jumps out at me when I look at your chops, but that doesn't mean they aren't made by known artists/kilns. It can be tedious, but a six-pack helps.

https://japanesebonsaipots.net/chop-and-signature-resource/

Edit: Meant to add that there's a Bonsai Pot Identification group on FB (if you have an account). Folks seem helpful there, but I wouldn't post 20 chops for people to id at once - you'd probably quickly wear out your welcome.

Nybonsai12 · Oct 8, 2016

Have you tried Michael Ryan Bells Japanese bonsai pots blog chop seal reference page?

Edit: Thams beat me by .00001. Gold is his

Steven1969s · Oct 8, 2016

At least I know that most of the Mame pots were made by fuji tohki.

Steven1969s · Oct 8, 2016

I did start looking at it and started with the simple stamp (the one that looks like a bolt of lightning), but no luck.

thams · Oct 8, 2016

Steven1969s said:
I did start looking at it and started with the simple stamp (the one that looks like a bolt of lightning), but no luck.

My advice - unsolicited, I know. Post a few of your favorite on the Bonsai Pot Identification page and see what you get back. If you get some hits, then post a few more. You can always email Ryan Bell directly as well.

From my relatively untrained eye, I don't see any "wow" stand out pots in the pictures you posted. There could be some gems tucked away in the collection though. At the end of the day, if you feel good about the purchase that's all that really matters.

wrcmad · Oct 8, 2016

Steven1969s said:
How can I find out who's signatures these are?
I looked all over and can't find anything on these.

Pic #1 is Kaiyou (Tokoname).
Pic #2 ??
Pic #3 ??
Pic #4 is Houtoku (Japanese production grade)

Steven1969s · Oct 8, 2016

Thanks wrcmad.

Bonsai Nut · Oct 8, 2016

wrcmad said:
Pic #1 is Kaiyou (Tokoname).
Pic #2 ??
Pic #3 ??
Pic #4 is Houtoku (Japanese production grade)

You know what? Perhaps we should work on a comprehensive signature page for pots... because as far as I know, none exists, and it is a real shame that some of these potters / artists don't get the credit that is due...

Eric Group · Oct 8, 2016

Many of these look to be basic production grade with softer edges, unremarkable detail on the feet, even a few with off center drainage holes and little imperfections. Not amazing pots but certainly useable! I'd almost prefer to put trees in pots like this normally- can always slip them into a betterment pot if you show your trees... but keeping them in an inexpensive production pot "every day" keeps you from accumulating wear and tear on a nicer pot.

thams · Oct 11, 2016

Steven1969s said:
How can I find out who's signatures these are?
I looked all over and can't find anything on these.

BTW, I was going through a bonsai pot auction and noticed a signature that resembles one that you posted (the "lighting bolt" sig). I think it's a Sharon Muth bonsai pot. Could you post a picture of the actual pot? There a Muth thread in this forum that you could look at to do a comparison of your own.

rockm · Oct 11, 2016

I think the "lightning bolt" is an upside down kanji signature...

thams · Oct 11, 2016

rockm said:
I think the "lightning bolt" is an upside down kanji signature...

I would be willing to bet, say, $0.25 that I'm correct. In fact, I'll up it to $0.50 to make it more interesting.

rockm · Oct 11, 2016

thams said:
I would be willing to bet, say, $0.25 that I'm correct. In fact, I'll up it to $0.50 to make it more interesting.

Looking at it again, I probably owe you .50 It is and S and an M upside down.

Waldo Street Pottery · Oct 11, 2016

Steven1969s said:
How can I find out who's signatures these are?
I looked all over and can't find anything on these.

I think the 3rd pot, with the lightening bolt, or upside down SM may be Sharon Muth, can we see a better picture?

Steven1969s · Oct 11, 2016

This is the pot.

thams · Oct 11, 2016

Steven1969s said:
This is the pot.

That's a sweet little pot. Let me know if you ever decide to let it go. Someone will probably chime in with whether is definitively a Muth.

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