The Ancient Chinese Secret to Outdoor Garden Pottery

A handsome focal point in the garden. A bold splash of color near the entryway. A subtle accent on the lanai — these are just a handful of the charming things we do with outdoor pottery.

But where and when did it all begin?

A not-so-lost art

We’re not exactly sure of that answer, but we can say with absolute certainty that the pottery we carry is from Vietnam’s Mekong Delta and Nanjing, China— where it’s sourced directly by Geobunga owner Andrew Dedrick.

Back then, ceramics was less about decoration and more about practical uses such as grain and food storage, water transport and of course — wine consumption 🙂

A land that time forgot?

Here, mist-shrouded mountains shoot up from the earth, teeming with dense groves of bamboo before gently sloping into ancient rice paddies and traditional pottery villages.

More experienced potters craft the bigger pots — some up to 6 feet tall — which require more time and skill.

The carts carry the pots to an enormous, elongated kiln built of clay brick that runs down the slope, where they are loaded into access doors every 30-40 feet.

The wood-fired kilns are sealed for days while the pottery bakes in temperatures between 1,800-2,000 degrees celsius.

Flawed pieces are sold at local markets, and flawless pieces board a container to be offloaded here in Hawaii for — you guessed it — the beautification of your home and garden.

Lo-tech isn’t dead

Our pottery is still one of the few products in this world that’s crafted entirely by hand, craftsmanship and ancient tradition!