The Ceramic Pot Made Simple: Fine Materials Meet Alluring Details — Plant Care Tips and More

What makes a ceramic pot such a high-value object? It’s not just the sensation of luxury and permanence that they imbue an environment with. Functionality and quality are also key, for reasons both pragmatic and aesthetic.

At Léon and George, we believe that stoneware ceramic pots are the natural choice of vessel with which to pair our plants, and we’d love to tell you why. The history of ceramics is fascinating, and we think you’ll agree that it takes more than a little alchemy to craft the perfect ceramic pot for a beloved plant.

A Little History

Ceramic was first fired in high-heat kilns as long ago as the 1700 BCE in China, during the Shang dynasty period. The pottery from this period was stunning and surprisingly modern— from geometric vessel shapes to incised etching and vibrant glazes, this early pottery feels almost uncannily aligned with current trends. True style never expires, we suppose! As history progressed, ceramics evolved, reflecting the aesthetic trends of their era and serving a host of practical functions.

The Material World

Léon and George pots are constructed of stoneware, a mixture containing predominantly clay, as well as kaolinite, mica and quartz among other minerals. These ingredients, combined with the process of firing the clay in super-high heat, combine to ensure that stoneware is exceptionally strong, while still being able to maintain stunningly vivid and delicate glazing.

Stoneware and high-fire clay feature superior waterproofing, and high-fire clay pots are extra-hard and durable. These vessels are resistant to cracking and chipping, and gleam with a gorgeous finish.

Details, Details

The devil’s in the details, and ceramics have long inspired the creative imagination. From the opulence of porcelain (Miessen, Limoges and so much more) to the fantastically functional and moderne stoneware ceramics of the Mid-Century (we love Gainey, Bauer, Heath and of course Homer Loughlin’s Fiestaware) the lines and shapes that make up a ceramic pot are exceptionally deliberate design details.

Shop our handmade ceramic planters here.

Story and Sustainability

A well-loved object is a talisman, with a value that exists outside of the world of currency and cost. Quality ceramics are made to last (and Léon and George’s pots are no exception). The process of creating ceramics is deeply connected with the earth— after all, at their essence, they are clay. So sustainable manufacturing practices are paramount for a valuable ceramic pot: a luxury, but also a necessity.

We’re design enthusiasts here at Léon and George, and the meeting of function with form is a constant obsession for us. So we hope you’ll take a look at our collection of hand-glazed, hand-finished ceramics, crafted in our proprietary lightweight and waterproof stoneware.

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