Earthenware
by thehandcraftmall.com

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The earliest domestic Mexican Earthenware dates from the Formative period (1500-1000 bc ) in the Valley of Mexico. On the Gulf coast the Olmec culture produced hollow, naturalistic figurines. During the Classic period ( ad 300? to 900?), Earthenware figurines from the east showed lively freedom of expression; those from the west were often grouped in impressionistic scenes of daily life. At Teotihuacán in the central plateau, polychrome three-footed vessels were produced in molds. In the Post-Classic era the Toltecs occupied the central plateau, producing typical Earthenware painted red on cream or orange on buff. Later, the Aztecs first assimilated earlier abstract decoration, then turned to red and orange bowls ornamented with birds and other life forms. Farther south, the Zapotecs and Mixtecs resisted Aztec influence. Besides modeled animals, humans, and gods, they made a highly burnished polychrome ware that influenced later Earthenware.

Maya ware attained a variety and quality unique in Mesoamerican Earthenware. Maya ware of the Classic period included delicate figurines, polychrome cylindrical vases with scenes and glyphs resembling those in Mayan manuscripts, and plaques containing whistles, with molded and modeled scenes of everyday life.

The art of creating beautiful Earthenware has been cultivated for centuries by the Mexican people. Simply by looking at the magnificent Earthenware created by pre-Columbian civilizations we can see that this land possesses an extraordinary artistic heritage.