Posted 5 years ago
Bekssa
(19 items)
I found this small seed pot (?) and am very confused about who made it. It came from an estate sale and had this little paper label that says "Mexico". I've looked at lots of pottery and keep coming back to Hopi or Acoma. The walls are thin and it is unglazed inside. No signature -- just that label (that may or may not be correct). Can anyone help ID it?
It's a beauty. I definitely would have thought N.A. as well. Maybe CanyonRoad can give some input here. Give it a little time and let it go thru the cycle a bit. You'll have your answer.
Thank you! Sounds like there are experts here so -- fingers crossed that one of them will know.
And thank you to everyone who said they love this little bowl!!!
It's Mexican, not Native American. It's Mata Ortiz pottery, named for the village in northern Chihuahua, Mexico, where it is made. It's a relatively new type of pottery tradition. Pottery making in Mata Ortiz dates back only to the 1970s.
None of the potters claim any tribal affiliation. Some, however do make "Indian-style" pottery based on the ancient Indian pottery designs from nearby Paquime ruins. or copied from Native American traditional design patterns. Others make modern art pottery.
The turtle pattern on the top is an example of a design pattern based on prehistoric Mimbres pottery designs, also adapted for use by Acoma and other some other southwest Native American potters.
Mata Ortiz pots differ from Native American pots in that they have thinner walls, a rounded bottom, are burnished on the bottom, and have design patterns which in most cases are distinctively Mata Ortiz, even if they are "influenced" by other cultures.
The Mexican government officially classifies it as contemporary Mexican Art Pottery.
CanyonRoad -
Thank you, thank you, thank you! I am so impressed by how quickly this mystery was solved by you. And ESPECIALLY for all the information that you provided. I really learned something. Which is exactly what doing this is all about!!
Glad I could be of help. I agree, CW is a good place to find answers. (And thank you for marking this Mystery Solved!)