Black Pottery

This time of the year my thoughts always turn to Oaxaca, both because it was approximately at this time of the year that I was so happy there, and because I love the Day of the Dead celebrations. Oaxaca is THE art capital of Mexico which is what originally led me there.

A distinctive ceramic process has brought much fame to the small village of San Bartolo Coyotepec of Oaxaca. For centuries, San Bartolo Potters have used a pottery firing process similar to Japanese Raku. Artisans of the village fire clays to create a jet-black, ash-covered surface, which when burnished with a smooth stone, produces a lustrous sheen, similar to a clear glaze over a black surface.

Although I am smitten by color, I think these examples of black pottery are wonderful.