Late 20th-Century Barro Rojo (Red Clay) Braided Handle Pottery Vessel / Vase, Mexico

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Excellent Pre-Owned Condition.

Take a look at this fabulous handcrafted rustic chic in or out of doors heavily weighted braided … Read more Excellent Pre-Owned Condition.

Take a look at this fabulous handcrafted rustic chic in or out of doors heavily weighted braided handle pottery vessel / vase handcrafted from barro rojo or red clay, which is a traditional form of pottery made in the borough of San Marcos Tlapazola, in the state of Oaxaca, Mexico. In this rural Zapotec village of about 1,100 people, the 300 or so potters are all women who make pottery out of red clay gathered from high in the surrounding mountains, a tradition that has been going on for twenty generations. There the women gather the clay from the hills surrounding their mountain village, mix it with water and strain it. Afterwards it is mixed with sand and left to dry in the sun for a week. When the women have made enough pottery, they take the pottery to an enormous fire mound in a courtyard, load the mound with wood, grates, manure, pots and kindling and then light it which produces a variety of textures and finishes in the pottery. Some of the pottery is left as is, rustic and smoky looking. Other pieces (depending on its utilitarian purpose) are refined by “scraping” with a crude tool to produce a very smooth, almost glazed look-and-feel to it, typically kitchen pieces have this finish.

This beauty measures 14½” x 12½” x 11” H/W/D; 13” interior height; weight 7 lbs. 11 oz. It’s a gorgeous accent vessel or vase in excellent condition with minimal age-appropriate wear. It has been displayed indoors but would be a terrific outdoor accent but do be aware that it is unglazed which makes it porous. If placing outdoors it would be best to display within a screened-in porch or a covered patio, away from direct exposure to the elements. Handcrafted by an unknown Oaxacan artisan sometime in the 1980s to 1990s. I fashioned a square felt base and placed it on the vessel’s underside to preserve surfaces from being scratched which can easily be removed, if desired.

An artfully and uniquely handcrafted rustic chic piece that will complement most any design sensibility and elevate any in or out of door space!

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