Mata Ortiz Pottery, Javier Corona, Collectable

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Mata Ortiz Pottery, Javier Corona, Collectable

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Sold Date: 10/14/2007
Channel: Online Auction
Source: eBay
Category: Ethnic, Folk & Native American Art

This pot was handmade by Javier Corona, tfore it isn't completely symmetrical and no two pots are exactly alike. It measures approximately 4" tall and 4.5" at the widest point. Artistic design hand painted to complement any room.
This remarkablethin-walled fine art was hand-formed (without the use of a potter'swheel) from locally dug clay, hand painted with natural mineral or plant colors and fired over open ground (not in a kiln). The fine pottery resulting from these ancient methods are a strong reminder of the amazing power of Mata Ortiz creativity and skills.

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(The foregoing is from Wikipedia) The small village of Mata Ortiz, near the ancient ruins of Casas Grandes in the northern part of the Mexican state of Chihuahua, has seen a revival of an ancient Mesoamerican pottery tradition. Modern potters are producing work inspired by pottery from the ancient city of Paquime, which traded as far north as New Mexico and Arizona and throughout northern Mexico. This new artistic movement is due 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 from surrounding areas have been attracted to the Mata Ortiz revival and have joined Quezada and his associates. New potting families developed and the art movement continues to expand. A vibrant flow of new ideas, without the restraints of traditional practices or gender constraints, has enabled the pottery of Mata Ortiz to avoid derivative repetition common to folk art movements. This blend of cultural expression, economic need and artistic freedom has produced a unique artistic movement in the community.

In 1976, anthropologist Spencer MacCallum visited Mata Ortiz and met Juan Quezada and his extended family of brothers, sisters, their children and neighbors. This group of artisans are the core of this now thriving pottery movement. Information published after this and later visits quickly promoted the acceptance of Mata Ortiz pottery as a contemporary art form. This simple pottery is accepted and admired as a legitimate folk art, and has become highly collectible.