Mata Ortiz Indigenous Pottery Manuel Olivas Casa Grandes Fish Design Turquoise

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Vintage pottery by one of the earliest and most original modern-era Casa Grandes potters, Manuel Olivas (1940- 2007). Brown Clay pot decorated with a fish design in black brown and turquoise. Measured approx 5 inches across at widest, 3 3/4 inches at opening, and 6 inches tall. Mata Ortiz is the site of a revival of an ancient Mesoamerican pottery tradition. Inspired by pottery from the ancient city of Paquime , which traded as far north as New Mexico and Arizona and throughout northern Mexico, modern potters are producing work for national and international sale. This new artistic movement is credited to the efforts of Juan Quezada, the self-taught originator of modern Mata Ortiz pottery, his extended family and neighbors. Mata Ortiz pots are hand built without the use of a potter’s wheel. Shaping, polishing and painting the clay is entirely done by hand, often with brushes made from children’s hair. All materials and tools originate from supplies that are readily available locally. The preferred fuel for the low temperature firing is grass-fed cow manure or split wood. Each of these characteristics derive from the ancient pottery traditions of the region, however Mata Ortiz ware incorporates elements of contemporary design and decoration and each potter or pottery family produces distinctive individualized ware. Young clay workers read more

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