The Moonscape Collection
Stoneware bonsai pots inspired by the surfaces of other worlds.
Background
The Moonscape Collection was the first collection developed by Ian Jobling Ceramics. Inspired by the surfaces of the moon, distant planets and the textures of natural stone, it explores the meeting point between ceramics glaze and geological form.
At the heart of the collection are the specialist glazes that react during the firing process to create dramatic, crater-like formations. Bubbles rise and develop across the surface, leaving irregular textures reminiscent of lunar craters, weathered rock and rugged landscapes of other worlds. Each firing brings its own variation, making the surface an integral part of the design.
The Inspiration
The inspiration extends beyond the moon to the wider universe. The shifting colours of the Northern Lights, the iridescent blues of oil on water, the deep blues of Earth viewed from space, and the golds, reds and creams associated with the distant planets all inform the collection’s palette.
These colours are translated into stoneware through glazes that interact with heat and each other to produce depth, movement and texture. Rather than simply decorating the pot, the glaze helps define its character, creating landscapes that can feel real and almost otherworldly.
Each pot begins with a considered form, balancing shape and proportion with the distinctive character of its glaze combination. The intention is to create a bonsai pot that complements the trees nebari, bark and canopy while introducing its own geological presence.
Shapes, sizes, and colours.
Standard shapes include round, oval, rectagonal, hexagonal, quince, cascade and semi-cascade. Sizes are suitable for Mame, Shohin and larger and colours include dark greens, browns, blues and grey’s.
Individual Character
No two moon pots are exactly alike. The cratered surfaces, variations in colour and unpredictable effect of firing ensure that each piece has its own character.
Handcrafted by Ian Jobling in Durham, UK, the collection brings together functional bonsai pot design and the raw visual qualities of planatery landscapes. Thes are pots shaped by earth, transformed by fires and inspired by the worlds beyond our own.