Nicolas Quezada, Mata Ortiz 13" hand built painted polychrome pottery For Sale

Please see photos this is 13" tall by10" round signed by Nicolas Quezada, stand included

Mata Ortiz potsare hand built /coiled without the use of a potter's wheel. The shaping, polishing and paintingof the clay is entirely hand done. All of the materials and tools originatefrom supplies that are available locally. The paints for Mata Ortiz potterycome from grinding minerals into a fine powder. Each Mata Ortiz pot is handpainted with a human hair brush.These brushes are designed to paint veryfine lines and intricate designs.

The last step in Mata Ortizpottery is firing.The preferred fuel for the low temperature firing isgrass-fed cow manure or split wood. Mata Ortiz pottery is usually fired at1000-1500 F, where the clay begins to melt and turn glass like. Firing is an artform - Mata Ortiz potters watch the smoke and flame color to adjust the heatwhile firing. Two different styles of firing is used for Mata Ortiz pots. Oneis Oxidation firing and the other is Reduction firing. Each of thesecharacteristics derive from the ancient pottery traditions of the region,however Mata Ortiz ware incorporates elements of contemporary design anddecoration and each potter or pottery family produces distinctiveindividualized ware.

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