Meet the Artisan
Mexico
The Potters from Oaxaca
World-famous Barro Negro (black clay) of Oaxaca comes from one region and one region only: San Bartolo Coyotepec. The special properties of this clay cannot be found anywhere else. Each piece is shaped by hand (no potter’s wheels here) and baked in a fire of thick black smoke.
Invented in the 1950s, it is instantly recognizable and sought-after around the world. Our artisans in the region, headed by Amando, are taught the highly-guarded 2,500-year-old firing technique when they are young children. Amando, who was taught by his great-grandmother, has a strong technical background in high-temperature ceramics and has also studied under Japanese masters.