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The most dominant of Mexico’s crafts is in the pottery arts. Pottery was considered one of the highest art forms during the Aztec Empire, the knowledge of making pottery is said to have come from the god Quetzalcoatl himself.

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The cultural trait of using bold mixtures of vivid colors in art and fabrics was also prevalent in the rich pallet of colors used in traditional Mexican pottery decoration.

The abundance of colors in crafts and other constructions extended back into pre-Hispanic times. Pyramids, temples, murals, textiles and religious objects were painted or colored with ochre red, bright green, burnt orange, various yellows and turquoise.

In the very early colonial period, the native artisan classes were persecuted and their art traditions were virtually destroyed, as many of the designs and techniques they used were linked to pre-Hispanic religious practices, which the Spaniards wanted replaced with Christianity.

Fortunately, many of their ancient pottery styles were rediscovered from archaeological excavations which helped the indigenous artists re-connect with some of their lost traditions.

Mexican Pottery is the most prolific and versatile type of Mexican Folk Art. Its variety shows the cultural, historic and geographic diversity of this country.

Since the emergence of the Olmec culture, considered to be the mother of the Mesoamerican cultures, ceramics, pottery making, took an important place in the lives of the Mexican people.

The earthenware vessels, anthropomorphic figures, and various types of tools found in the archaeological ruins of the ancient Olmec cities of Tajín, San Lorenzo, La Venta and Tres Zapotes, suggest the techniques used in their pottery: the use of clay, the knowledge of primitive firing techniques, their means of coloring and painting designs.

The ancient techniques employed to make pottery are still used today – mostly in the rural parts of Mexico. It’s curious how these groups were able to preserve their artistic techniques – coil building, open firing, natural pigments – and yet they lost their original language and their religion.

Mexican pottery brings together the influences of pre-Hispanic, European, Arabic and Oriental cultures. Whatever technique is used, Mexican clay pottery has an individuality and “flavor” that is appreciated for its art and quality worldwide.

Today, Mexican clay pottery is well known around the world.

Like many women from the town of Amatenango del Valle, in the southern Mexican state of Chiapas, Juana Gómez Ramírez learned the art of working with clay as a young girl. She has since become one of the most talented alfareras in the country. “Thanks to our ancestors, those who came before us, we have a blessing in the form of the land they left us,” Juana said.

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