quick question Michael Hagedorn pot

I just bought this pot made by Michael Hagedorn. Does the flaw detract from the value....it refuses to be removed. Very interested in your thoughts. BTW, I posted in the bonsai section because the pot forum does not seem to get the traffic.

Thanks for the insight.
Neil

Hmmm, I've never seen our pot heads shying away from questions, and seems like they'd best answer your question.

I don't know anything about Michael Hagedorn pots, are they valueable? Can't help with the stain/scuff.

R

One way to disguise a defect in a pot is to get some shoe polish that is as close as you can find to the color of the pot and rub it in. This has worked for me in the past. If you don't like the result, use alcohol to remove the shoe polish.

Neil, value is very subjective but a Hagedorne pot will definitely hold it's value. Some people think an artifact in the glaze surface is a minus and some think it's a plus. That's up to the buyer and seller to determine. I personally think it enhances the value and would not try to disguise it but show it.
Wood

Not sure I agree completely Gary. It appears to be damage as opposed to a glaze defect. I have a few nice pots with glaze defects as you referenced & agree they add to the pot's unique quality. But this is not glaze.

Agree that not disguising it is good, especially if its being sold. Hiding it while selling its another story though eh.

Thanks for the input!

Gary, I'm all for "mistakes" and "flaws" in glazes - but that's not what this looks like. If I kept and used this pot this would be on the backside.

Russell, I think everyone should do what they wish within their vision of bonsai, art, or life in general. I see this particular artifact as a loading kiln "kiss"
Neil said it wouldn't "come off" that means it was fired in. An Iron Red glaze pot bumped another color pot in the loading of the kiln and there was an artifact "smudge". Anyone can hide or show or put it in the closet as they choose. I would would show the "kiss"
Wood

OK, Gary. To each his own, I guess. I suppose it depends on whether one see it as a "kiss" or a boil...

Gary & Russ,
Thanks for the differing opinions. The pot forum never sees good action.

So, the question is...would you buy this "kiss" if it was clearly visible? None of that "if the price was right" BS either. Straight up yes or no.

Respect your opinions guys.
Neil

NeilDellinger wrote:
Gary & Russ,
Thanks for the differing opinions. The pot forum never sees good action.

So, the question is...would you buy this "kiss" if it was clearly visible? None of that "if the price was right" BS either. Straight up yes or no.

Respect your opinions guys.
Neil

I hate to say it but I'd see it as a scratch and try to find another that was unscratched.
-Jay

That little "kiss", or scratch, isn't a big deal. I'd call it "patina" (sounds better).....and it wouldn't phase me in the very least. It almost looks like some sort of Chinese or Japanese character...find out which one, and you have yourself an original....

Neil, no bull shit, it's a plus to me. BUT, that's me and I don't mean to speak for anyone or segment but me. I'm a potter and I see these things on occasion and understand the different mindset between flaw and "wabi sabi" so don't let others dictate your aesthetic sensibilities. If you like good, if you don't, that's ok also.
Wood

Thanks Gary. Appreciate the input.

To me it looks like soft metal was rubbed against the side of the pot, leaving a mark. Could be lead or zinc, or silver, but most likely was aluminum (probably bonsai wire). If it is this, then no solvent would remove the stain. You could try a white rubber eraser or another gentle abrasive and it may come off.

to give the illusion of old aged pot , i use olive oil, then graphite pencil , then polish with the palm of the hand , I think the default will be smaller.

my personal opinion on this one is the mark looks too much like a scuff or scratch that appeared later as it shows motion and it is on the pots' widest point. If i was buying the pot to put a tree in i'd look for 30-40% reduction in asking price - it is now a 2nd

If i was buying the pot because I believed the potters work will become more collectable or more valuble I wouldnt touch it - at the end of the day potters produce many many pots while they are alive and working so there is generally a plentiful supply until they stop work for one reason or another. Micheal is still a young man, so there will be a lot more pots produced in future years

I guess the only reason to buy a damaged or 2nd quality pot as a collector would be if it was numbered 1, or had a special story that could be authenticated. ie the pot was one he made in japan and while packing up to come home Kimura popped round and while deciding if he liked the pot scratched it with his watch strap...... - or the pot was the only one to survive an earthquake or tornado


just my opinion on speculating on the futures (pot) market

Best wishes Marcus

Neil,

Michael is still a young man but is NOT making Bonsai Pots anymore. They are selling for more now.
Why not contact Micheal directly and ask him about how the pot should be viewed or how he would treat it.
http://crataegus.com/

Mark

Mark wrote:Neil,

Michael is still a young man but is NOT making Bonsai Pots anymore. They are selling for more now.
Why not contact Micheal directly and ask him about how the pot should be viewed or how he would treat it.
http://crataegus.com/

Mark

But you cant catagorically say he wont again in the future - and a 2nd is still a 2nd so will sell for less, especially when its just external damage and not a fancifull kiln blemish - they are semi natural and we all like them

cheers Marcus

I tend to agree with Marcus. Its not a kiln blemish, and I'm pretty sure Mr. Kimura didn't do it

I did buy this pot as a "collector" and not to use...at least immediately.

Its a second, the guy I bought it from was either concealing it or was completely ignorant of how this mar would detract from the value.

I'll see if he's got solid values/ethics and will work something out with me.

Neil,
I think The scratch does detract from the value a little, but 30-40%? No way. 15% of it's current value, which I place a little higher than 150, 15% max. I've got a big stripy one a chipped foot(I'm sure you know the one ) and I know in The long haul it's negligible. Because Hagedorn pots are soooo rarely seen for sale on the open market(thats only the second ive seen on eBay in 4 years) the pot will still increase in value. Michael says he NOT firing up The kiln again, ever, but even if he does, print that eBay reciept and it's still a 1st period Hagedorn. 10-20 years from now Hagedorns will be every bit as valuable and tough to find as Aspinals are today. Look at those, chipped and beat up and still selling for 500$ and up up up! Your investment is sound in the long term. I'd suggest using it too, patina will cover that scratch in a decade of use.

This may be a little off topic but if anybody is interested in selling their Hagedorn pots please PM me.
thanks,
John

bonsai northwest had two last time in.....someone sold their pots and was 3 that came in. I got one of them.