Terra-cotta to treasure - pottery

Sunset, June, 1996 by Lauren Bonar Swezey

Handmade or hand-finished and inspired by ancient designs, these clay pots are shapely and stylish, and they complement plants beautifully

A rebirth of finely crafted terra-cotta pottery is changing the look of plant containers. Modern potters, taking their cue from the beautiful hand-hewn pots that were made of terra-cotta (baked earth) thousands of years ago by Etruscan craftsmen and later sculpted of fine Italian clay by Renaissance artists such as Andrea Della Robbia, are turning out pots that are distinctive and durable works of art.

Many of these new pots still come from small villages in Italy, but nurseries and garden shops also sell pieces from craftsmen in England, Greece, Spain, and California.

Unlike mass-produced, utilitarian clay pots, or the low-fired Mexican clay pots that flake apart within a couple of years, these hand-hewn or hand-finished pots are fired at high temperatures and last for years. They come in a range of shapes, from urns to deep bowls.

"Italian terra-cotta from Impruneta [Tuscany] is made by highly skilled artisans whose families have been in the business for generations," says Lenore Rice of Seibert & Rice Fine Italian Terra Cotta. "You can tell they're handmade. Each pot is slightly different, and you can even see fingerprints on some of them."

Depending on where they come from, the pots tend to have signature styles that make them stand out from knockoffs often made in China and Thailand. Pinkish white clay and fine detail are typical of the Impruneta pots. When embellished with flower garlands, fruit clusters, or lions' heads, these pots are especially formal. Classic olive jar shapes, rough-textured finishes, and pale clay are typical of pots from Crete. English terra-cotta pots are usually fairly plain.

The sound and feel of the clay identify a pot's quality. High-fired clay has a ring to it when you tap it with your knuckles, and touching it doesn't leave terra-cotta powder on your fingertips. A low-fired pot makes a dull thud when you tap it, and its surface can be easily scratched.

WHY TERRA-COTTA MAKES THE BEST POTS

Unlike plastic or glazed containers, terra-cotta breathes. And roots develop best when they get plenty of oxygen. Soil in a pot that breathes won't stay overly soggy after watering, because the clay absorbs any excess water, which then evaporates.

And since clay is porous, it helps prevent harmful salt buildup around plant roots. Water and fertilizer, which can cause salts to accumulate in the soil around potted plants, migrate out through the container walls.

The terra-cotta containers on this page show a sampling of the many high-quality pots now available. Depending on where you live, you may find other styles and shapes of equal quality.

Italy. Rustic, handmade pot from Impruneta has non-uniform shape. Thick walls are extremely durable and frost resistant. Pot is 14 inches long by 8 inches wide. The Gardener, Berkeley; $46.50.

Crete. Firing in outdoor kilns that burn grape seed (a 4,000-year-old method) gives clay its uneven coloring. Pot is 14 inches tall by 15 1/2 inches wide. Smith & Hawken; $59.

Spain. Pale terra-cotta pots are made in Basque villages; every family makes a different style. Pot is 9 inches tall by 8 inches wide. Smith & Hawken; about $25.

Italy. Formal pot is handmade in Impruneta by an ancient process. Pot is 7 inches tall by 10 inches wide. From Seibert & Rice Fine Italian Terra Cotta; $65.

England. Rustic, hand-thrown pot is made from local clay by a potter in Herefordshire. Pot is 7 1/2 inches tall by 7 inches wide. From Kinsman Company; $14.95.

California. Steve Jahnke of Architectural and Fine Art Sculpture in Vallejo, California (wholesale only), incorporates a variety of methods, including a potter's wheel for hand-finishing. His pots are available in nurseries; prices vary.

CHOOSING AND USING THESE NEW POTS

Let the setting inspire your plant choices. Or experiment with different plantings. "Look at the containers and plants with a fresh eye, and accept any combination that's beautiful," says Oakland landscape designer Bob Clark. In a client's formal Italian containers, Clark planted dwarf Alberta spruce trained in upright spirals, and then he added Fuchsia procumbens to drape over the edges. "If you have a gorgeous pot, you don't want the plants to cover it completely."

Use these pots to display favorite plants, or cluster them around the garden. Anne Roth, designer for Roger's Gardens in Corona del Mar, California, suggests putting an empty urn in a rose garden, then planting ground covers at its base. "We also use large containers on either side of a gravel or stone path to define an entry into a garden. If it's a formal entry, we might plant a boxwood hedge beside them."

When Roth clusters pots, she combines ones with different shapes, styles, and sizes, such as pots in 24-inch, 18-inch, and 14-inch widths. It's okay for the pots to be different, but for the best overall effect, they must look good together, says Roth. She likes to cluster pots that fit a theme. In a kitchen garden, for instance, a 24-inch pot might contain a large rosemary with trailing thyme around it; an 18-inch container might show off assorted lettuces; and a 14-inch pot might contain herbs such as parsley, cilantro, and basil.