Ittel Pottery

Jim Barrett

Additional photographs of all of the pots are available upon request prior to purchase.

This nice shallow pot is a good example why most pots having a crackle glaze should not be exposed to freezing conditions. The pot is visually sound, but knocking it with a knuckle demonstrates that it has several cracks. It does not ring true. There are several spots of visible spalling on the inside and the bottom but the exterior looks fine. Crackle pots are generally raku-fired. This is not hot enough to take them to full densification. Thus, they will absorb water and in freezing conditions in the presence of moisture, this can lead to cracking much like terracotta pots left outdoors in the winter snow.

This medium large rectangular pot has Jim’s wonderful crackle glaze and has developed a rich, warm patina. But note the comments to the right. External measurements are 14.25 x 7 x 1.5” and the internal measurements are 13 x 6 x 1”. No visible cracks on the outside but several cracks inside. Note the chip missing from the back right corner, almost certainly from freezing. Best if it finds a home in a collection rather than active use. JB1-9486 $150

Small oval Barrett pot, lightly but definitely used. Outside: 5.75 x 4.25 x 1.5”. Inside: 5 x 3.5 x 1” JB1-9494 $100

Lovely hand-shaped pot with an interesting glaze. Used with some water deposits but very good condition. It is 3-legged and not quite round. Approximate dimension outside are 5x4.5” and ~2” tall with inside at 4.5x4” and about 1.75”. JB1-9703 $40

Limited edition JB1-9639 2.25 2 1+ 2 1.75 1- NFS

Limited edition JB1-9632 2.25 2 1+ 2 1.75 1-

Another suiban, smaller than the one above. External measurements are 5.5 “ wide, 3.5’ depth and 0.5” high. (Internal: 5.25, 3.25, and 0.25”) JB1-9648 $25

Jim regularly produced shallow suibans of all sizes, mostly in deep greens. This one is smaller at 10” wide by 5” deep by 0.5” high outside with inside at 9.5, 4.5, and 0.25”. JB1-9656 $30

A very shallow, long oval pot. The slight lime deposits confirm that it has been used. The unusual dimensions of 8.25” wide, 3.75” deep and 1” high outside (corresponding internal measurements of 7.75, 3, and 0.75” respectively) make this pot unique. JB1-9663 $20

JB1-9670 1 1 1

JB1-9677 2 2.25 1.5 2

See my comments above about crackle-glaze pots in freezing weather. This one was obviously left out in the winter here in the mid-Atlantic. It not only cracked, but broke. It has been repaired with glue but you can see the substantial crack on the back-side of the pot in this picture. It would have been a nice little pot if properly cared for. This pot has a 3” outside diameter and is1.5” high. Inside dimensions are 2.5” and 1” respectively JB1-9683 $5 with the purchase of some other pot.

This is one of Jim’s cute little pots that he slip-cast. It is a Lotus shape with external dimensions of 3” width, 2” depth and 1+” height. Corresponding internal measurements are 2.5, 1.5, and 1-”. JB1-9689 $15

JB1-9696 3+ 2+ 1.25 3- 2- 1

Large, shallow pot, unglazed ,with an iron oxide wash. Used but in good shape. Full signature and chop. Made 12/11/82. Lip is somewhat undercut, hence the significant difference in the exterior and interior dimensions: 20.25 x 12.25 x 1.25 exterior. 19 x 11 x 0.75 interior JB1-0052 $200

3 x3 2.25 x 0.75 2.5 x 2 x 0.5 JB1-0064

2.75 x 1.5 2.25 x 1.25 JB1-0058

Small round pot. Lime deposits on bottom. External: 3.25 x 3.25 Internal: 2.5 x 2.75 JB1-0778 $15

Very large Jim Barrett pot. Made with a high-grog clay. Signed, dated, and chopped. Used, with some lime deposits on bottom. Great for a forest. Exterior Interior Width: 20 18.5 Depth: 15 13.5 Height: 2 1.5 JB1-0885 $250

This Jim Barrett pot, seen at the National Arboretum, measures 40" by 31" by 10" and required 230 pound of clay and a fork-lift when it was made. For the fascinating story of how Jim did it, see Bonsai Today, 54, March/April, 1998, "Anatomy of a Pot." Sorry, but I cannot offer anything in that size range.