Description

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This distinctive pottery, made for use and for show at the village of Mata Ortiz, Mexico, evolved from Juan Quezada's first efforts in 1955 into a business that involves the village and now employs around 350 potters. Six distinct styles are presented: black, polychrome, sgraffito (etched), colored, miniature, and special shapes. Bowls, plates, vessels, and delightful figural pieces have recognizable glazes and coloring that have made Mata Ortiz pottery welcome in many ceramics collections today. This fresh and comprehensive book includes a fascinating discussion of similarities in the bird motif with Acoma Pueblo (New Mexico) pottery. Private and gallery pottery collections were studied, making this a thorough presentation of old and new work. Each form is described with the maker's name, decorative details, and dimensions. Both older and emerging artists are well represented, making this an important reference for the classic forms, current styles, and future designs.

About the Author

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Guy Berger is the owner of the Palms Trading Company, in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Following his family's tradition in business, he specializes in acquiring pottery directly from native potters throughout the Southwest and Mexico. He is an author of the books Pueblo Pottery Families (3rd edition), and Pueblo and Navajo Contemporary Pottery and Directory of Artists, now in its second edition.