Mata Ortiz Pottery - Elegant Sitting Bird
Width - 3 inches
Height - 4.5 inches
Length - 4.5 inches
Weight - 9 ounces
This is the first time I have had the opportunity to offer Mata Ortiz Pottery created by Ms. Susan Hernandez. She is one of the group of young artists coming into their own. This is a simply elegant black bird with both matte and glossy finishes. This delicate bird is finely formed with wonderful designs mimicking designs from ancient Paquime symbolism. This metallic black is near impossible to capture adequately in photos, the mirror effect reflects so much light. This is why it is good to refer to the video as well. The fullness shows a healthy bird.
A pottery ring is included for this Mata Ortiz Pottery Elegant Sitting Bird.
Be sure to see my otherMata Ortiz Pottery, the finest offered on this site!
___________________________________________________________________________
Mata Ortiz is legendary, both the village and the pottery taking its name.
In the 70's a young man began experimenting with recreating ancient pottery he would come across. He used the same clay sand mixtures from materials found in the area in which the ancients lived and made their pottery. The same firing techniques using the same local materials eventually created the same magnificent results. Half a century later and much of the village of Mata Ortiz has taken on these incredible skills for creating masterpieces, with each artist contributing hers and his own sense of beauty.
The designs are bold, earthy and individualistic.
Paint brushes consisting of one or two human hairs create the finest lines. Images revealed through carvings are created by nearly microscopic sharpened points. Paints are developed from minerals found in the surrounding desert. Many colors are only revealed after intense firing at very high temperatures. These creations are truly unique transformations that only this small little region of the world can create from it's own soil.
I have been tangentially around Mata Ortiz for 30 years. Now I am spiritually bound by their overwhelming beauty and intense and intricate designs. When I look at one of the pieces, I feel I am meeting in person the artists who created this, and am visiting their home.