Pottery dating techniques
29-Jul-2020 08:38
The most popular and successful Mexican pottery styles today are: The Black Clay (Barro Negro) from San Bartolo Coyotepec in Oaxaca had been used by Zapotecs since pre-Hispanic times, but it was Rosa Real de Nieto, aka Doña Rosa, who discovered how to give the clay its now typical shiny black color.The Multicolored Clay (Barro Policromado) from Izucar de Matamoros, a small community with an extensive pottery tradition, is widely appreciated for its delicate drawings and bright colors; the town's pottery became internationally known thanks to Alfonso Castillo Orta's expertise and creativity.Frequent color combinations include delicate tones of rose, gray-blue and white on a background of brown, light gray, green or blue.The Barro Bruñido pieces are rubbed with a rock until their surface is so polished it looks as if they were glazed.Among the most representative models in this style are the incense burners and the tree of life candle holders.Nahuatl folk painting can be fully appreciated in the Barro Pintado colorful birds, flowers, landscapes and everyday town activities.Many of these goodies stayed in Mexico and significantly influenced the local artisans.
Capula is a small village in Michoacan state with a pre-Hispanic pottery tradition.
Clay tableware delicately decorated with flowers and fishes, kitchen plates painted with the town's unique dotting style and most recently clay Catrinas award Capula Pottery international reputation.
