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THE TROPHY Exhibition
EUROPEAN
BONSAI POTTERY CONTEST
2026
INFORMATION
for
Potters & Collectors.
A celebration of the finest bonsai ceramics from
EUROPEAN POTTERS & POT COLLECTORS!
Welcome
For over 20 years, The Trophy Bonsai Exhibition Belgium has flourished as Europe's most exciting bonsai exhibition. Inspiring new and seasoned artists, and showcasing some of the finest bonsai in Euope.
The event has been undeniably instrumental in the increasing quality and popularity of the art form within Europe and beyond.
In addition to world class bonsai and suiseki, the Trophy also hosts the annual 'European Bonsai Pottery Contest' - A 'Collector's display' - and an 'Honorary Exhibit'. In total a 190ft display of inspirational ceramics.
All exhibits will be forever recorded in the famous Trophy Annual hardback book in addition to various articles and publications.
The event has been undeniably instrumental in the increasing quality and popularity of the art form within Europe and beyond.
In addition to world class bonsai and suiseki, the Trophy also hosts the annual 'European Bonsai Pottery Contest' - A 'Collector's display' - and an 'Honorary Exhibit'. In total a 190ft display of inspirational ceramics.
All exhibits will be forever recorded in the famous Trophy Annual hardback book in addition to various articles and publications.
In this brochure, you will find all the information you need
to submit a bonsai pot for consideration.
As an ARTIST, or as a COLLECTOR.
to submit a bonsai pot for consideration.
As an ARTIST, or as a COLLECTOR.
If you are a bonsai potter – or a collector of high-quality bonsai ceramics, please consider participating.
Participating not only allows people to appreciate your ceramics - but will also help support and promote European bonsai pottery across the world.
We thank you for your support and participation.
Participating not only allows people to appreciate your ceramics - but will also help support and promote European bonsai pottery across the world.
We thank you for your support and participation.
The bonsai pottery exhibitions are organised by the EBPC on behalf of Bonsai Association Belgium.
CONTENTS
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Here you will find full information on the following:
1 - ABOUT the European Bonsai Pottery Contest
Join us and be part of the largest and most prestigious bonsai exhibition outside of Asia, comprising:
- European Bonsai Pottery Contest - Collector's Pottery Display - Honorary Pot Exhibit
- European Bonsai Pottery Contest - Collector's Pottery Display - Honorary Pot Exhibit
2 - SCHEDULE
Find out when: - registration opens & closes - pots must be at the event by - participants will be notified - judging will occur - winners will be announced - & more.
3 - CATEGORIES
There will be three categories – as you can’t fairly compare apples and oranges! Find out which here.
- For the collectors – there are no categories.
- For the collectors – there are no categories.
4 - WHAT TO SUBMIT
Details on what will and will not be considered in an exhibit. The focus is on bonsai ceramics.
5 - REGISTRATION - HOW TO APPLY
Details on when, where & how to register your entry.
6 - RULES
Explains the terms and conditions of the event.
7 - JUDGING & CRITERIA
Introduces the Judges & explains the criteria judging stages and process.
8 - CONTACT
Contact details for the EVENT ORGANISERS.
Please see each of these sections below for details.
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The European Bonsai Pottery Contest
A juried event, exhibiting some of the finest bonsai pottery from around Europe. It is widely acknowledged that Europe has some of the greatest potters outside of Asia, and this prestigious annual pottery exhibition is the world's window into the very best in European Bonsai Pottery. Showcasing the talent of Europe's most proficient and exciting bonsai ceramics artists - the Bonsai Pottery Contest is eagerly awaited by many enthusiasts; to appreciate the creative designs and flawless finishes of pots they would love to house their favorite tree in! |
European Bonsai Pottery Contest 2025
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The Collector's Display Collectors of high-quality bonsai ceramics from all countries - also converge on the pottery exhibition to exhibit, appreciate and discuss influential and inspirational bonsai pottery from all over the world. If you are a collector and are willing to share your passion and knowledge with others - then please submit a display of your pot(s) in this fun and educational event. There are few places where enthusiasts and pot collectors can see the world's best pots, and we thank you for supporting the community in this way. |
Collector's Display 2025
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The Honorary Display Each year the contest exhibits a central 'honorary display', which pays tribute to a bonsai potter of exceptional esteem (Not included in the contest!)
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Trophy Memorial Gift Pots 2025. 50 each made by - Roald Vlems, Sabine Besnard, Manon Jamin, Klika Kuratkova, and
Claudia Wagner.
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Trophy 2025 Honorary Display - Peter Krebs, Germany.
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Trophy 2025 Honorary Display - Andrew Pearson, Stone Monkey Ceramics. (1968 - 2024)
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- In 2026, we are excited to welcome an artist of very high acclaim from Japan, Mr Senzan 仙山,
- who will honor us a display of his porcelain painted pots.
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THE RUN-UP.
Theme, rules & conditions announced 01.7.25
Registration opens T.B.C. .. Expected August
Registration closes 15.11.25
Participants notified of decisions 01.12.25
EXHIBITION TIME!
Display set up 27.2.26 09.00 - 18.30
Latest time for pots to arrive at venue 27.2.26 16.30
Exhibition open to the public 28.2.26 10am
Final Judging 28.2.26 12.00 – 14.00
Winners announced 28.2.26. at 15.30
Earliest pots may be removed 01.3.26 at 17.00
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When judging between a painted and an unglazed pot, it is impossible to fairly compare either the technical proficiency or aesthetic attributes, therefore the judging of the pot display will be in 3 categories.
Please ensure all of the pots in your exhibit fall into one of these three categories:
Please ensure all of the pots in your exhibit fall into one of these three categories:
GLAZED
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Pots that have a glazed finish covering 30% or more of the body of the pot will be included and judged in this category. This does not include oxide finishes. |
UNGLAZED
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Pots in the unglazed category are mostly or completely finished without glaze or decoration. Pots that are mostly unglazed, with very minor decoration, or very limited glaze (e.g. natural ash from wood firing) will be judged in this category. |
DECORATED
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Pots which have a mostly decorated finish will be included in this category. ‘Decorated’ includes painted pots, those with carved and sculpted motifs, and slip decorated pots. Not included are pots with: only feet that are carved/sculpted, very minor décor, or where the relief décor is part of the design of the style of pot (e.g. studs on a drum pot, or relief banding. |
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Bonsai related ceramics
- Ceramics for: Bonsai, Kusamono/Shitakusa, Accents or Suiban.
- All ceramics must have been made and/or decorated by yourself within the past 24 months.
- If a collaboration of any kind - please specify.
- You may enter one pot, or up to 5 smaller pots.
- Each entry may only contain ceramics from one of the ‘categories’ specified.
- Those being: Unglazed, or glazed, or decorated.
- ‘Mixed category’ entries will be dismissed.
Accents & additions
- The contest focuses on your bonsai ceramics, and the ceramic skills displayed– and does not focus on display.
- Displays may consist only of your ceramic entry.
- Only accents (accent pot, origami etc.) made by yourself will be included- no plants or suiseki.
- Display furniture is not necessary, but may be used if within the available space. Please also specify the dimensions of furniture at registration.
Sizes
- The MAXIMUM space available per multi-piece display is 70cm.
- With an additional 20cm space to either side of each display.
- The MAXIMUM individual pot/ceramic size is 60cm.
- Taller displays will be positioned on a RAISED tier.
- Lower displays will be situated on the lower tier (normal table height).
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Thank you for entering for The EUROPEAN BONSAI POTTERY CONTEST
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TERMS & CONDITIONS OF ENTRY FOR POTTERS
- There is no charge for either registering a submission for the pot exhibition or displaying.
- Pots must have been made and/or decorated (please specify) by yourself.
- Pots must have been made within the past 24 months.
- Each entry may only contain pots from one of the ‘categories’
- ‘Mixed category’ entries will be dismissed.
- The MAXIMUM individual pot size is 60cm.
- The MAXIMUM space available per multi-pot display is 70cm.
- (With additional space allocated to either side of each display).
- Displays may consist only of your ceramic entry.
- Only accents (accent pot, origami etc.) made by yourself- no plants or suiseki.
- Participants may submit multiple submissions.
- By submitting an entry, participants agree to abide by the schedule as laid out above.
- Pots may not be removed from the display until 16.00 on the day of the exhibition
- MAIL-IN ENTRIES. All pots must be physically delivered to the event.
- If you are unable to attend, consider asking a trusted friend who is attending to bring your pots. There will be no shipping or delivery service provided by Bonsai Association Belgium.
- If you are unable to attend, consider asking a trusted friend who is attending to bring your pots. There will be no shipping or delivery service provided by Bonsai Association Belgium.
By applying, applicants agree to participate and ensure that their entries will be delivered to the event on time if accepted. Only those pieces selected through the initial selection stage will be included in the exhibit, and substitutions are not permitted. We encourage all applicants to carefully consider their ability to deliver their entries before submitting.
By participating, you agree to the above terms and allow BAB and visitors of the event to photograph their work while on display for educational and publicity purposes. Images and information of displayed works will be retained by BAB and the EBPC for promotional purposes, catalogue and book production, posting on the EBPC website and sharing with media related publications.
TERMS & CONDITIONS OF ENTRY FOR COLLECTORS.
- There is no charge this year for either registering a submission or for displaying at the pot exhibition.
- Unless estimated at more than 50 years old, pots must be by a known or identifyable artist.
- Collectors may submit pots from any country.
- The MAXIMUM individual pot size is 60cm.
- The MAXIMUM space available per multi-pot display is 70cm. (With additional space allocated to either side of each display).
- Displays may consist only of your ceramic entry.
- Only accents made by the same potter may be included. No plants or suiseki may be included.
- Display tables or stands are not necessary yet are permitted if within the available space.
- Participants may submit multiple submissions.
- Please use a separate registration for each entry.
- MAIL-IN ENTRIES. All pots must be physically delivered to the event.
- If you are unable to attend, consider asking a trusted friend who is attending to bring your exhibit. There will be no shipping or delivery service provided by Bonsai Association Belgium or associates.
- Entry is open to all collectors, 18 years and older, who are residents of Europe. Residents outside of Europe are not eligible to enter the competition.
By applying, applicants agree to participate and ensure that their entries will be delivered to the event on time if accepted. Only those pieces selected through the initial selection stage will be included in the exhibit, and substitutions are not permitted. We encourage all applicants to carefully consider their ability to deliver their entries before submitting.
By participating, you agree to the above terms and allow BAB and visitors of the event to photograph their work while on display for educational and publicity purposes. Images and information of displayed works will be retained by BAB and the EBPC for promotional purposes, catalogue and book production, posting on the EBPC website and sharing with media related publications.
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JUDGES
The judges for the
2026 EUROPEAN BONSAI POTTERY CONTEST will be:
2026 EUROPEAN BONSAI POTTERY CONTEST will be:
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Mr. ‘Senzan 仙山’ Nakayama. (Japan) Mr. German Gomez (Spain) Mr. Harald Lehner (Germany) |
We thank the judges for assisting us with their knowledge and expertise.
CRITERIA
The judges will assess the ceramics in each display based on the following criteria:
- WOW FACTOR
Winner - 2023 by Sami Amdouni France.
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How attractive and impressive the pottery looks. This criteria assesses how captivating the pottery is to a novice or expert. How long do people want to view this pot? |
- TECHNICAL PROFICIENCY
Winner - 2024 by Patrik Lüthi - Fukurou, Switzerland.
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How difficult to make, and how well made the ceramics are. With this criteria, ceramics that involve more advanced, or harder techniques will be scored higher - if of course, they are well implemented. The quality of the pot form, details and finish will be assessed here. |
- FUNCTIONALITY
Trio of functional porcelain bonsai pots by Martin Englert, Germany.
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How suitable the ceramics are for their bonsai related use? As bonsai pots are both a piece of ceramic art, and also a functional item, in addition to how attractive and how well made the ceramics are, judges will also assess how suitable they are for use with bonsai. If a pot is beautiful and well made, but completely unsuitable for its purpose as a container or bonsai (or kusamono, suiseki etc), it will not score well in this section. |
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The European Bonsai Pottery Contest is hosted annually at the Trophy Bonsai Exhibition, Belgium, in Limburghal, Genk.
The pot display is organised by Alex Rudd of the European Bonsai Potter Collective, in association with Bonsai Association Belgium.
The pot display is organised by Alex Rudd of the European Bonsai Potter Collective, in association with Bonsai Association Belgium.
CONTACT
With any queries regarding the pot display, please e-mail: Alex Rudd - EBPC.
The Trophy organisers at Bonsai Association Belgium can be contacted through the TROPHY website.
Where you can also find more general information about the Trophy bonsai exhibition.
The Trophy organisers at Bonsai Association Belgium can be contacted through the TROPHY website.
Where you can also find more general information about the Trophy bonsai exhibition.
Roald of BAB and Alex of the EBPC with Guerao of Spain - winner of the Gyouzan Award 2025
Thank you
For participating in this exciting display. We look forward to seeing you in Belgium!
Alex, European Bonsai Potter Collective.
Organiser of the EUROPEAN BONSAI POTTERY CONTEST.
Alex, European Bonsai Potter Collective.
Organiser of the EUROPEAN BONSAI POTTERY CONTEST.
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The TROPHY annual display & contest of bonsai ceramics, is organised by the EBPC and hosted at the Trophy Exhibition, Belgium,
in conjunction with Bonsai Association Belgium.
in conjunction with Bonsai Association Belgium.