One of the places in Mexico that I have been looking forward to visiting is Oaxaca. Oaxaca is known for it's artesania (artesian work) - from pottery to textiles to tin shaping to wood carvings. Many years ago I came across some barro negro (black clay) pottery and have always wanted to pick up a piece.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5IWQRHDZ1uSZ4s9KW-Jm5K0h81GNirraCT0iNETQzNUASJDS9BO3rloTW5XFjVe6q9k0tq-VjuZ6lr4nDy4GN2dB8W_780McayS4M6ERGS-PoiwXNXFZsufu75AhylYx5UZUcu6TByI4/s400/25.jpg)
It turns out that this little village 10km outside of the town of Oaxaca called San Bartolo Coyotepec is considered the birthplace of the barro negro style of pottery.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-mBykuVPgEXC_EJ3pfSrsUrsvsT1hEbWPhTRbUmujEr_lmwuNM75bZDRBftHDDcyy1EZuMQjCsEgjpIW8nO3dyIw0GbaS8HM_1Y80tddBK15R_wBJ1A4xE4C9qLphex1LBvAsFxHvGPc/s400/26.jpg)
And this Alfareria (pottery workshop) of Dona Rosa (Rosa Real Mateo) is considered the place where it originated.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnos2DenUqc03oHVUWRhTQ1eWZXp6ng98HeM8muIrhBjxZO0LV2IvHIQGFreTtreo_Vue1xogkSOByBf3oszR-AdMsXRkOp-Iyf3qio_ttIOL1Aw4W_i307_Mn2QvYxEz3CWW2pHaCJIY/s400/27.jpg)
The clay is collected from around the area of San Bartolo. The pulverized clay, quartz and water are combined to create a workable clay. Then spun into the desired shape on a simple potters wheel made of two plates. The traditional style was plain and utilitarian. The modern style may include elaborate designs and carvings.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcnfrIfhX1GdJnnaF_tegs28AceS1-unOVo3XQynefEm6OWhGMxwwtJWLFm09WxuSWvJ-orDYIfndtTU8KG07RU10oJagNmlNkT7o75NC5rA-f-e_vLeUv0bf0Io4npTVNkwQKgNE_9c4/s400/28.jpg)
The formed shaped is baked in an earthen furnace. An intense and longer baking time results in a more brilliant shine on the pottery.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOQB7ONvXjUn5O50qh24Ezoa8DAu7vGIUJQ7pfNtOHcImQXiLtN4jKph9YiiU60MYkHuGxJAp66n0xaTdot034Pkoe2R-gGgm9icc98Z-OEuWDnPgwZVcpzZ9esgoTGpsRk1ylB5_jVoQ/s400/29.jpg)
A skilled potter will create something like this...
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHfNtT_dBFQCASUp3Sak11y6w1Tr5YT_ti544anfsurBwcFSgpPK8sntdqjYS0hVUm8JOthJOCI38nbFXOTymJpRWuaPii2TTsDgs1tPWODh-VkIazCLgiyFiKCKXcTeodG0gdN53NpaE/s400/30.jpg)
...or this.
Finding this workshop and learning about the pottery process was amazing for me. I picked up a few pieces and will be sending them home.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5IWQRHDZ1uSZ4s9KW-Jm5K0h81GNirraCT0iNETQzNUASJDS9BO3rloTW5XFjVe6q9k0tq-VjuZ6lr4nDy4GN2dB8W_780McayS4M6ERGS-PoiwXNXFZsufu75AhylYx5UZUcu6TByI4/s400/25.jpg)
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-mBykuVPgEXC_EJ3pfSrsUrsvsT1hEbWPhTRbUmujEr_lmwuNM75bZDRBftHDDcyy1EZuMQjCsEgjpIW8nO3dyIw0GbaS8HM_1Y80tddBK15R_wBJ1A4xE4C9qLphex1LBvAsFxHvGPc/s400/26.jpg)
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnos2DenUqc03oHVUWRhTQ1eWZXp6ng98HeM8muIrhBjxZO0LV2IvHIQGFreTtreo_Vue1xogkSOByBf3oszR-AdMsXRkOp-Iyf3qio_ttIOL1Aw4W_i307_Mn2QvYxEz3CWW2pHaCJIY/s400/27.jpg)
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcnfrIfhX1GdJnnaF_tegs28AceS1-unOVo3XQynefEm6OWhGMxwwtJWLFm09WxuSWvJ-orDYIfndtTU8KG07RU10oJagNmlNkT7o75NC5rA-f-e_vLeUv0bf0Io4npTVNkwQKgNE_9c4/s400/28.jpg)
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOQB7ONvXjUn5O50qh24Ezoa8DAu7vGIUJQ7pfNtOHcImQXiLtN4jKph9YiiU60MYkHuGxJAp66n0xaTdot034Pkoe2R-gGgm9icc98Z-OEuWDnPgwZVcpzZ9esgoTGpsRk1ylB5_jVoQ/s400/29.jpg)
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHfNtT_dBFQCASUp3Sak11y6w1Tr5YT_ti544anfsurBwcFSgpPK8sntdqjYS0hVUm8JOthJOCI38nbFXOTymJpRWuaPii2TTsDgs1tPWODh-VkIazCLgiyFiKCKXcTeodG0gdN53NpaE/s400/30.jpg)
Finding this workshop and learning about the pottery process was amazing for me. I picked up a few pieces and will be sending them home.
Very Cool!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful pottery
ReplyDeletewow, those are amazing pieces!
ReplyDeleteWhen I was traveling this past year I visited Oaxaca, Mexico. I bought some genuine barro negro pottery to give to my family as Christmas gifts. I mailed it home via fedex at considerable expense. I opened the package today and found that almost all of the pieces were destroyed. Only 3 survived... broken dreams.
ReplyDelete