THE PUEBLA POTTERS

Our artisans are located in a traditional pottery village nestled within the dense cactus forests of Eastern Puebla. Pottery from here is well noted for its warm earthly colors and its durable burnished finishes.

The foothills of the valleys surrounding their village hold rich deposits of clay that have helped foster generations of skilled local potters. Clods of rough clay are hand dug and taken home via donkeys, where pebbles and organic material are removed by sieving. The raw clay is then safely stored away in a cool dark place, ready for use as and when needed.
When the time comes the clay is then combined with sand and water until the ideal consistency [depending on the desired vessel in mind] is achieved.

The clay is then wheel thrown and, or, coiled to shape, before being slipped (washed in fine watery clay), burnished (polished with quartz), and then fired within an earthen kiln. After firing the clay, color [if desired] is then added by applying a tea made from the bark of the quajiote tree. Beeswax is then applied to the entire surface of each piece before once again being burnished, giving the pottery its distinctive smooth and glossy finish.

Women in this village are the masters of clay and fire. We work exclusively with two native women, Veronica and Hortencia, whom have been wonderfully kind in allowing us not only to showcase their work, but also to work alongside them to foster our own range of clay pottery. We feel incredibly privileged to be working alongside such a rich cultural heritage, and incredibly proud of the pottery we have available to our clients.