DeCorazon Mexico has just opened its doors to its new collection of ceramics from Mata Ortiz, Chihuahua. Each piece is different, with numerous symbols that communicate their worldview and way of life. Get to know this emblematic work, which recovers the pottery tradition of an ancient civilization, located in the heart of the Sierra Chihuahua.
We will offer you the history of Casas Grandes, a region that carries its cultural legacy in ceramics.
Mata Ortiz: A Hidden Gem in Northern Mexico
In the small village of Mata Ortiz, just south of Paquimé, Chihuahua, an ancient pottery tradition thrives, captivating collectors and Mexican folk art experts from all over the world. Mata Ortiz pottery brings together rich history, skilled craftsmanship, and contemporary design, creating pieces that stand out for their distinctive beauty.
A Legacy from the Paquimé Civilization
The origins of Mata Ortiz pottery trace back to the Paquimé culture, one of the most influential in northern Mexico during the 13th to 15th centuries. Paquimé, also known as Casas Grandes, was a major trade and cultural center connecting Mesoamerica with the American Southwest. The city was famous for its unique architecture, advanced water systems, and, of course, its pottery.
A Pottery Revival Led by Juan Quezada
A Legacy from the Paquimé Civilization
The origins of Mata Ortiz pottery trace back to the Paquimé culture, one of the most influential in northern Mexico during the 13th to 15th centuries. Paquimé, also known as Casas Grandes, was a major trade and cultural center connecting Mesoamerica with the American Southwest. The city was famous for its unique architecture, advanced water systems, and, of course, its pottery.
A Pottery Revival Led by Juan Quezada
It was in the 1970s when Juan Quezada, a self-taught artisan from Mata Ortiz, rediscovered and perfected the techniques used by the Paquimé culture. While walking in the vicinity of the village, Quezada found fragments of Paquimé pottery and set out to understand the process behind those pieces. Without manuals or references, but with exceptional curiosity and dedication, Quezada began to experiment with the local clay, reproducing the firing and decoration techniques used by the ancient Paquimé people.
His work not only revived a tradition that had been lost for centuries, but also encouraged the local community to follow his example. Today, more than 400 artisans in Mata Ortiz produce unique ceramic pieces, which have become a benchmark in the Mexican handicrafts market.
A Living Tradition
The process of creating Mata Ortiz pottery is completely manual, following the legacy of the Paquimé culture. The clay, extracted from the same region, is carefully selected for its texture and molded by hand, without a potter’s wheel, to form the vessels and pitchers. The designs, applied with natural pigments obtained from local minerals, feature geometric patterns and colors ranging from ochre to deep black. Firing is done in improvised open-air kilns, which gives the pieces a unique and natural finish.
Mata Ortiz’s ceramic pieces range from the traditional large earthenware pitchers to smaller, more functional cajetes. Although each piece is unique, they all share a high quality finish and surprising symmetry, considering that they are molded without the aid of lathes.
It is common for the designs of these pieces to feature geometric shapes that evoke Paquimé iconography, but contemporary elements have also been integrated, making each work relevant to both art collections and interior decoration.
Where to Buy Mata Ortiz Pottery
Visiting the town of Mata Ortiz is a journey through the Chihuahuan Desert, with the Sierra Madre mountains marking your path, leading to a plaza decorated with the geometric shapes, animals, people, and landscapes that define this unique craft. At DeCorazón México, located at Plaza San Jacinto No. 20, Mexico City, we invite you to explore a piece of this rich pottery tradition and become familiar with the icons of northern Mexico. We hope you enjoy our curated selection, chosen with great care and enthusiasm.
