Posted 8 years ago
whodunnit
(1 item)
I don't remember where I picked this up and for 15 yrs. I have taken it to art galleries, collectors and pottery establishments in North Dakota and Montana and no one is familiar with this style of pottery.
It appears to be handpainted, with each side being different from the other. It has a glaze except the inside beyond the painted rim, no glaze on the handles except on the painted red area, and the bottom has no glaze.
The bottom appears to be a reddish clay with either a symbol marked or if turned the right way could be the letter "g".
Not sure what the animal is with it's long ears, otherwise I would guess a deer. The leaves seem to have a tropical appearance. The colors used are white, reddish brown or burnt red, a pale orange, greys and black.
It stands approx. 8" tall with belly of the vessel at approx. 5-6". The handles did appear at first to have been put on afterward, however you can feel the bunt end inside the vessel.
If anyone has any idea where to steer me in my long lasting quest to solve the mystery of this vessel I would greatly appreciate it.
Nonetheless, I simply adore this vessel with its details and colors and odd looking deer and will always enjoy it.
It's Mexican, traditional burnished pottery (barro bruñido) from Tonala, state of Jalisco.
It is not glazed. Before it is fired, the pot is coated with a thin slip (liquid clay) which is polished with a smooth stone to achieve the burnished sheen. The stylized animals and flowers are common features of this popular type of pottery.
You evidently took it to the wrong galleries...anyone familiar at all with Mexican pottery should instantly recognize it. It's the iconic Mexican pottery souvenir. If you want to confirm, just do a web search for "Tonala barro brunido" or see the book "Ceramica, Mexican Pottery of the 20th Century" by Amanda Thompson.
Another great solve, Canyonroad :-)
These pottery are very nice!
WOW!!! Thank you so much CanyonRoad and right you are. Found the vessel in no time and read with interest about Tonala pottery.
You did in minutes what I couldn't do in 15 years.
But no regrets as it was kind of fun I gained knowledge during my whodunnit quest about my piece . But now my mystery is solved and I Thank you!!
So, you may mark it as solved :-)