Coyotepec Vase | S

Amando is a master of Barro Negro pottery, a 2,500-year-old craft passed down through generations in his family. Raised in San Bartolo Coyotepec, a village renowned for its black clay pottery, Amando learned the sacred techniques from his great-grandmother. These techniques, deeply rooted in the traditions of the Zapotec and Mixtec peoples, have been meticulously preserved, ensuring that each piece reflects the authentic heritage of the region.

In his family-run atelier, Amando works alongside 13 artisans from 11 local families. Each piece is crafted with care before being fired in an underground kiln using a specialized oxygen-depletion technique that imparts the pottery’s distinctive black hue. This process represents a harmonious blend of ancestral tradition and skill, refined over centuries.

When you purchase a piece crafted by Amando's co-op, you acquire more than just a work of art—you become part of an enduring legacy. Each piece that emerges from the kiln carries the spirit of the land and the wisdom of generations past. By acquiring one of these handcrafted treasures, you also become a custodian of the ancient knowledge embedded in the clay.