handmade pottery

What ancient wisdom does this little man have to share? Handcrafted by Chorotega pottery artisan Elpidio Chavarría of the Nicoya Peninsula in Costa Rica, this ceramic statuette of a seated man with headdress and glasses is the natural sand color of the clay with details painted in dark orange and brown.

Chorotega pottery is completely handmade with traditional techniques passed down through the generations for 3,000 years, and one of the last surviving cultural elements of the Chorotega people indigenous to Costa Rica’s Guanacaste region and Nicoya Peninsula. Chorotega pottery is made from local clay mixed with a very fine freshwater sand. The artisans shape the clay on hand-operated pottery wheels and hand-polish the art piece to give it a smooth texture and luster. Designs are etched by hand and the pieces are painted with natural pigments made from pulverized local colored rocks mixed with water, then fired in traditional wood-burning brick kilns. The result is a beautiful, earthen pottery unique to this region.

Snow white abstract patterns over an eggshell base are the colours and designs chosen by Mexican artisan Pedro Tecayehuatl for this wonderful pair of luncheon plates handmade with the classic Talavera ceramic technique. This pottery style, which originated in China and Spain, was brought to the Americas in the 16th century and is characteristic of the Mexican states of Puebla and Tlaxcala.

Working to preserve the ancient pottery traditions of her country, Arlen Estrada in Nicaragua creates this remarkable decorative vase. The vase is crafted from terracotta before being carefully painted by hand with a bold, Cubist-inspired motif in browns, orange and yellow.

Artisan Isabelle Collins uses traditional methods and materials to craft these Talavera-style decorative ceramic tiles. Authentic Talavera pottery, which dates back to the 16th century, comes only from the state of Puebla and must be made according to exacting specifications. The beautiful tiles would make a magnificent backsplash or as decoration for a fireplace mantel.

Crafted from ceramic and painted by hand in the traditional style of majolica handicrafts, two roosters make a vibrant addition to any home or dining room. Mexican artisan Gorky Gonzalez creates these salt and pepper shakers. One features a single hole in each side of the head, while the other features two holes on each side. Each shaker is marked with the artisan's initials, as well as the letters "AT" for Alfarería Tradicional (Traditional Pottery).

For a delightful addition to any kitchen or dining room, two hens are lovely. Mexican artisan Gorky Gonzalez crafts these salt and pepper shakers from ceramic in the traditional style of majolica handicrafts, featuring a hand-painted design in a variety of colors. One shaker features one hole under the beak, while the other features two holes. Each shaker is marked with the artisan's initials, as well as the letters "AT" for Alfarería Tradicional (Traditional Pottery).