Mata Ortiz Pottery; Art Emerges From Historical Mystery

The origin of the now world-famous Mata Ortiz pottery is unique and mystifying.  In northwest Mexico, 156 miles south of Deming, New Mexico there is the small town of Juan Mata Ortiz.  The town is located in an area called Casas Grandes ("big houses") that once was a thriving population of indigenous people named Paquime.  These people lived a well-developed life for their time (1130-1400 AD).  Archaeologists and anthropologists have discovered evidences of sophisticated water storage and supply systems consisting of storage tanks and canals and a sewer system that allowed waste to be carried away from their pueblos.  They lived in large, multi-storied adobe and wood buildings with many rooms.  It is estimated that some of the pueblos may have had up to 2500 inhabitants.  They raised scarlet macaw birds which they perhaps used in religious ceremonies.  They also made bells and ornaments from copper and, most importantly, they were especially adept at producing earthenware pottery that was decorated with intricate detailing and designs.  The ruins at Paquime would produce a large selection of Native American Indian pottery.

No one has been able to figure out how such a dynamic civilization could literally disappear from the earth and leave behind so much evidence of their existence.  Sometime in the 1500's the pueblos were abandoned.  There may have been a severe long-term drought that forced them to move elsewhere.  There may have been marauding tribes from the north that burned the pueblos to the ground.  There are many possibilities to be considered, but none that can be for certain.

Casas Grande pottery found in the ruins of Paquime

One thing that is certain is that the discovery of shards of pottery by a young 12 year-old boy named Juan Quezada from the town of Juan Mata Ortiz, as he searched the Casas Grandes ruins for firewood, would be the inspiration for him to develop his own earthenware pottery.  As he examined the shards he noted they were made from clay that could be found in the area.  He determined how to make his own clay and mold it in to similar forms.  He figured out how to harden the forms with heat from the fire of cattle dung.  At first he mimicked the designs found on the ceramic remains of the Paquime.  Then he began creating more of his own, unique designs and details.  He became proficient enough that he decided to sell some of his pottery at the trading post in Deming, New Mexico.

The story from that point is remarkable.  An American anthropologist named Spencer MacCullum made it a routine practice of visiting trading posts in the southwest.  In 1976 he happened to stop in at the Deming trading post and he noticed the beautiful pottery that had been made by Juan Quezada.  After inquiring about the origin of the pottery, he found his way to the town of Juan Mata Ortiz and the shop of Juan Quezada.  He was so impressed with the quality and uniqueness of the work that he decided to provide money in advance to the potter to continue his artwork...and not necessarily only in pots.  Juan became a mentor to members of his family and friends and taught them how to make the pottery and the artwork soon became a profitable business and a way of life for the town of Mata Ortiz.  There are now over 400 potters working in the town and they each bring their own inspirations to their creations.  Mata Ortiz pottery is now world renown, with many of the pieces on display in museums all over the globe.

Mata Ortiz Dazzler Pottery by Maria Antonia Mora