MATA ORTIZ COILED Indian Effigy POTTERY

Extreme fine line details, hand painted, free hand. An artistic wonder. This is a collectible Pot made in Casas Grandes Valley. Beautiful pottery such as this is distinguished by its beauty and balance. It's created from the "prized" clay in the mountains high above Mata Ortiz. That alone adds considerable collectible value to this piece. This pottery is hand painted, with consistent and methodical, strokes forming intricate geometric shapes and traditional designs. It is 19" in circumference, 6" tall, 6-1/4" wide with a 2-1/4" wide opening.

For nearly two hundred decades pottery has been made and used in the American Southwest. The technology probably came north from Mexico where it's history is much older. In the Southwest, pottery is principally used as a container. Modern day painted pottery has become widely recognized for both traditional and ceremonial use. While pottery making is much older in Mexico, Central and South America, perhaps the oldest pottery in the Southwest has been found in southern Arizona, dating to 300 B.C.

Millions around the world are experiencing a growing appreciation for the arts and cultures of native peoples. In the American Southwest, Indian artists continue to create beautiful objects with loving care. Their creations may be seen as six main types of art forms: Paintings, Jewelry, Baskets, Textiles, Carvings and Pottery.

Casas Grandes pottery equals or surpasses the work of the Indian potters of the American Southwest. It painted with human hair brushes and natural mineral pigments and roots. It is hand-formed, without the use of a potter's wheel, and is dung fired. Each intricate line has been hand-painted - beautiful workmanship, high gloss, stone polished finish.