Mexican Pottery

Probably the most famous type of Mexican pottery is Talavera. This pottery style is a blend of ancient Puebla earthenware traditions and the more modern majolica from Spain. The result is the very colorful, highly glazed and stylistic pottery so popular today. Talavera pottery is only produced in Puebla; however, majolica-type pottery is made in many other places in Mexico. The snake pictured is an example of Talavera pottery.

Tonala and Tlaquepaque (yes, you can pronounce it: te-lahk-eh-PAHK-eh... just Google it.) refer to two villages in Jalisco, Mexico. You will often see references to these three places as types of Mexican pottery. The pottery ranges from majolica to black sgraffito (scratched or etched) and glazed highfire. The most spectacular, and the most ancient type, is polychrome burnishware. An example of Tonala hand-painted glazed pottery is the little cat in the photo above. Much of the pottery features images of birds, animals, and flowers ... the Tonala flower (flor de Tonala), a daisy-like or sunflower-like flower with an oval center and scalloped petals.

Oaxaca (wa-HA-ka) is in the south of Mexico. The black pottery (barro negro) is the result of burnishing the piece before firing and limiting the firing time; the pottery pieces are often intricately carved and polished to a silvery sheen.

The ancient technique of producing Mata Ortiz - Casa Grandes - Paquime pottery was nearly lost after hundreds of years but in the last century was resurrected, almost single-handedly, by the efforts of Juan Quezada. The distinguishing features of Mata Ortiz pottery are the round bottom of the pot, the very thin walls and their unique designs.

Mata Ortiz refers to the town where Juan Quezada lived. Casa Grandes refers to the ancient ruins nearby. Paquime refers to the ancient Puebloan culture which disappeared in the 14th century. Paquime pottery shards were found and used as inspiration to create the new pottery of today. The pottery is thus referred to as either Mata Ortiz, Casa Grandes, or Paquime pottery. Many of the artisans who produce these ollas (pots) and other pieces are extraordinarily talented, and their spectacular work can be found in museums and galleries around the world. Other, less experienced craftsmen produce fine works as well, but every one is unique and special.

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