Mata Ortiz Pottery
Mata Ortiz has become one of the most famous villages known by fine pottery collectors. Juan Quezada first taught himself how to recreate the beautiful old Casas Grandes style pots from shards he found scattered in the desert around his home in northern Mexico, and then taught his family the art. His pots were first discovered in the 1970's in Deming, New Mexico. At this time, there are approximately 300 fine potters in the village, and this pottery is considered among the finest hand-coiled pottery in the world. |  | |
Hector Ortega is a great potter and artist whose swirl pots are highly valued by collectors of Mata Ortiz pottery. His creations have a subtle grace and elegance that impresses and pleases the eye. His pots are made in various colors, such as red, white and black. Hector Ortega is a master of the 'turbino style' olla. He is featured in the book, The Many Faces of Mata Ortiz, pg.121. Always highly polished to a mirror sheen. This pot is 12 inches tall and is 36 inches in circumference.
Lourdes Lopez de Corona used to live in Barrio Adobe (also known as Barrio Lopez). In 1997, she married Armando Corona and moved to Barrio Americano near potter Ana Trillo de Corona. Lourdes makes good-quality, red or white-clay pottery. This pot is 5 1/4 inches tall and 21 3/4 inches in circumference.
Featured Vase -- this is a great opportunity to own a fabulous pot by a figure head in Mata Ortiz pottery. This polychrome tri colored vase by Felix Ortiz, is a large size at 42 1/4 inches in circumference. Gorgeous design and beautifully executed, this pot is from 1993 and is on a secondary market. Félix Ortiz is one of the original and most influential potters of Mata Ortiz. His sin geometría technique rivals the classic, proportional designs of the Quezada tradition. His method is organic and free. He excels in graphite black and polychrome and designs mostly animal and effigy figures.
Featured pot is 11 1/2 inches tall with a 28 3/4 inches circumference. Luz Ramirez has a gorgeous graphite finish on this gourd vase that is polished to perfection.
Featured is a textured pot with a stunning graphite black polish. Reynaldo Quezada Celado is Juan Quezada's youngest brother. He has been a fine potter for over 20 years. He learned his art from his brothers Juan and Nicolás. Reynaldo is credited with the mixing of clays, he also pioneered the use of textured indentations to give the pot a "braided" look. Reynaldo is well known for his black, unpainted, but textured bowls in the shape of a flying saucer. This vessel is 4 inches tall by 39 3/4 inches in circumference.
The Pueblo of Casas Grandes has produced some of the finest potters in recent decades. Jose Martinez is known for his black on black pots that have fine squares applied on to a polished black back ground. This vessel is 7 1/2 inches tall and is 20 1/2 inches in circumference.
Shown is another fabulous pot by Mata Ortiz potter Alonso Ramirez. His technical skill is quite evident in the intricate design work and the raised swirl design that is visible on the interior and exterior of the piece. The pot is polished black and then surface designed with terra cotta, green, yellow and beige slip. Alonso has a fine palette for color and knows how to handle his clay. Measures 25 inches in circumference.
30% OFF-Mauro Quezada is the youngest son of Consolacion Quezada and nephew of Juan Quezada. Mauro is one of the most award winning potters of the second generation of Mata Ortiz potters. His work reflects both the influence of his mother and his uncle. His very fluid designs are featured on this lovely olla. Measures 30 1/2 inches in circumference and 12 inches tall.
30% OFF-Jesus Martinez created this magnificent over sized seed pot that is 40 inches in circumference. On page 113 of "The Many Faces of Mata Ortiz" reads: ``Jesus Martinez Renteria Jr. and his wife Maria del Socorro Amaya de Martinez are a team that produces some of the most complicated design patterns on pottery from Mata Ortiz. Their work is executed with precision in multiple colors of red and black on a beautiful white background of clay. Socorro forms, sands, and polishes all their pots. Jesus paints each piece and does the firing. His painting is similar to that of Mauro Quezada, his brother-in-law and teacher.''
