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The Didgeridoo The ultimate relaxation and mediation instrument
 

These miniature Iris bulbs were planted in late winter and two months later after being kept in the dark they were brought out as they had reached a good length,. Within 10 days the bulbs flowered. Interestingly with Bulb pots these will grow at different times and you can see new shoots coming up through the planting. The beauty of the flowers were well matched with the antique Chinese bulb pot from the early 19th century
 

Bulb pot/bulb bowl collecting -While not actually Suibans , some bulb pots can indeed be used as Suibans for Suiseki

During the Chinese Song and Yuan Dynasties and later during the Qing Dynasty bulb bowls (or bulb pots) were used as containers for flower bulbs, such as narcissus. Narcissus blooms were particularly popular around the time of the lunar New Year (late January - February) when the Chinese celebrate the coming of spring. They look a lot like bonsai or Penjing pots in their architecture due to their shared characteristic of usually having feet but the similarity between the two types of vessels stops there, as bulb pots do not contain drainage holes.

Bulbs were planted in these pots and then forced into bloom using only a medium of gravel and water. The bulbs sat on top of the gravel and water was added to a level just below them assuring the bulbs did not rot but encouraging root formation instead.

Bulb pots although sharing similar architecture to bonsai pots (as stated above) are usually made of porcelain often featuring Polychrome enamelled decorations of one sort or another. The motifs encountered on these pots often feature Chinese figures and reflect the type of day to day activities of the period. Of course these attributes only increase the delight provided the collector of bulb pots.

Smaller or double walled pots are for Orchids and small pots with legs can be used for either.

	Orchid Pots Click thumbnail for a bigger image

 Bulb pots from the late Vaughn Bantings collection

Vaughn lived in New Orleans and was a teacher of Bonsai to many folk including Gary Marchal. He became an authority on Bulb bowls and we often exchanged notes and images. I was happy to buy three of my favourites from his estate. He was a friend and we all miss him.

Some of the Bulb Pots here were part of the collection of Vaughn Banting (VB)who was a well known American  Bonsai artist and Bulb Bowl authority. I was fortunate to meet Vaughn during on my visits to N'Awlins where he lived. At that time I was both speaking at the New Orleans Bonsai Club and another time I was there photographing Vaughn's student, the internationally respected Bonsai Master Gary Marchal for my book, Bonsai Masterclass.

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(VB)Japanese Antique Porcelain Bulb Tray

Width: 9" (23cm)
Depth: 5.5" (14cm)
Height: 3.5" (9cm)

£575

(VB) Chinese Double-Coin "Good Fortune" Bulb Pot for Orchids
Beautiful hand-painted porcelain double walled bulb dish with narrow mouth and wide brim. Double-Coin design invokes good fortune. Slight texturing in porcelain of coins and floral designs. Top rim features four panels of floral scenes set among the water and wave background. Chrysanthemum flowers adorn each corner. Good Feng Shui elements. A row of Odontoglossom orchids would look outstanding in this dish. Orchids like to be a little tight in their pots. Orchids transferred to overly large pots tend to concentrate their energy on root growth and may not show new growth.No Chips. Two hairline glaze lines in the inner well, but does not leak. This footed bulb dish (or bulb pot) with no drain was designed as a dish for orchids. Circa 1820

Width: 9.25" (23.5cm)
Depth: 5.5" (14cm)
Height: 2.75" (7cm)

£450
 

(VB) Japanese Antique Blue and White Bulb Pot that would also be used for orchids

This antique porcelain "bulb pot" was designed for planting and forcing bulbs to provide beauty in the home. It has a cobalt blue under-glaze and is decorated with floral motifs with a white over-glaze. Similar to a bonsai pot, but without a drain. No cracks or chips. Circa 1800

Glazed Ceramic (Sizhuan)

Width: 7.25" (18.5cm)
Depth: 5" (12.5cm)
Height: 2.25" (5.5cm)

£495

Porcelain (Qinghua) Orchid pot

Double walled porcelain mesh design with a poem inscribed to the owner of the Pot (in Chinese)

Purchased in 1995 from a well known Bonsai Master in Texas. £325

Chinese Famile Rose Bulb Pot c 1900
with no chips, cracks, or repairs. £475

2¾ inch highx9.3 inch longx7 inch wide

Chinese Famile Yellow Porcelain c 1850 small pot for orchids or bulbs
Winter scenes. A glorious series of paintings of winter on a beautiful yellow background

Length:140mm; Width:90mm;Height:58mm £190

Meiji Era 1860-1900, this pot is circa 1880. Shallow pot better used for orchids or small bulbs

Thank goodness past owners left the old staple repair alone on one foot of this stately 19th century orchid or bulb pot (as well as for Ikebana -a tray for live flower arrangements). First of all it is quite unobtrusive, but more importantly it is one of the better clues to accurate dating of the piece, which otherwise is in uncommonly good condition for its age. At first glance the swirling sometsuke (under glaze blue on white) pattern brought to mind a Chinese early Quing Dynasty narcissus bowl, but the distinctive feet are historically more consistent with Japanese designs for such porcelain forms, including the related bonsai pot. A most distinguished example of the porcelain arts. SIZE: 9 3/4 x 6 1/2 inches. CONDITION: Very good. Slightly uneven stance due to hand potting and staple repair on foot has been offset with a felt pad, as shown. Expected small firing flaws. Minor water staining inside. No other damage observed.
 

£325

A very rare and simply gorgeous Japanese Bulb or Orchid pot similar to the previous one. Early Meiji around 1860 10.5 x 3.5 inches. No damage. Enamelled design of wisteria along and over the edge of the pots rim. The colours are outstanding and this pot is so good it quite happily stands alone as an artwork in itself.

£495

Small orchid or bulb Bowl in a beautiful lustre glaze. Japanese

4.75x3.75x1.75 inches

An outstanding Japanese Bulb bowl from the early 20th century in a very rare lustre metallic glaze. Wonderful rich depths of colours throughout. £175 including stand

This is a very rare lustre glaze Japanese Bulb Bowl dating from the early part of the 20th century. Small size bulb bowls are popular as containers for miniature narcissus or snowdrops  etc to crate accent plantings for Bonsai display in spring.

3.25x2.25x1.75 inches

A charming little bulb bowl from the 18th century. Pink glaze on white porcelain £65 Stand is sold separately is a beautiful hand carved miniature Daiza £75

Plum Blossom mini bulb bowl. This size is rare and because its small is often overlooked as a bulb bowl. However its for a tiny display of miniature flowers. Small really is beautiful

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SHADES OF BLUE WITH LOTUS BLOSSOM & BIRDS ON WATER STANDING ON FOUR FEET MEASURING 9 & 1/8 INCHES
BY 6 & 1/4 INCHES BY 3 & 1/4 INCHES HIGH IT IS IN EXCELLENT CONDITION £225

An extremely rare Chinese 'Famile Noire' bowl, hand painted by a great master of a Plum pattern on the black background. This is a stunning piece with a very deep, glossy black glaze over painted with flowering blossom - a traditional Chinese icon of autumn. To protect the bowl when using as a Bulb Pot , a glass insert in the same shape would be used.

The bowl is a medium size - 3 inches high and 8.25 inches in diameter. It is very finely potted of superior clay and is much heavier than it looks - it weighs 10 pounds.

This piece was acquired in the late 1940s by the seller's grandmother during a Hong Kong trip. Dates from the 1900s.It was displayed for many years in her Park Avenue apartment in New York.

£440 / $620 including post

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A beautiful Bronze 18th century Chinese container that is either for bulbs or a censer. £450

This is the bronze Suiban which was sought after in Japan but originated in China and Korea.
Extremely rare today and many ceramic Suibans are modelled after the traditional Dhoban.

This is a deep Dhoban with incised decoration of the good luck design which can be confused with a swastika.