Horse Lg Sz Canelo Cinnamon Pottery by Pajarito Handmade Tonala Mexican Folk Art

Description

I just received a
huge shipment from Mexico of commissioned pieces
... this is
one of two Horses
i had
Pablo Pajarito
make. This particular fellow has 2
Nagual / Shapeshifters
painted on each side and he also has a
real Horse Hair Tail...
This piece is
all handmade and hand painted by Pablo in the Canelo pottery
tradition that his family is famous for...
He measures 12 inches tall and 14 inches long and 7 inches wide.
This amazing horse is made in the
Canelo / Cinnamon Pottery
tradition. This
style
of pottery is famous in Tonala Mexico, and the
Pajarito family are the foremost artists of this type of ceramic work.
Please note that there may be small flaws.....
this is quite common and typical of handmade pieces...
"
Pablo Pajarito's pottery is made of barro canelo or cinnamon clay.  It is called barro
canelo because of its variation of the colors of cinnamon spice.  While potters in different parts of Mexico use different methods of creating pottery, Pablo uses a style of work which is burnished and fired once. This is reminiscent of pre Hispanic pottery.  The clay is found in the area surrounding the town of El Rosarito…..
T
he color of canelo pieces is achieved through a mix of white, black and red clays from various sources. The mix is important to the family as they believe it to be reflective of Mexico’s mestizo heritage. The same clays, along with some minerals, are used to make the slips used to paint background and designs.
The basic process remains unchanged. Clay is broken up, ground into a powder and impurities removed. After mixing with water, the clay is left to “ferment.” Both molds and freehand techniques are used…… The piece is left to dry, then sanded and cleaned before painting a background color with a slip. Most pieces are profusely decorated, generally with large elements first, with smaller details added later. Both paints and paintbrushes are made by the family.
Before firing, the piece is burnished with a stone. This seals the pores and eliminates the need for glaze. Firing takes about three hours. The firing changes the clay color from a grayish to the cinnamon tones, and the burnishing leaves a matte finish. The change of color requires a certain amount of imagination while painting to ignore what the eyes sees in favor of the later result.
For Pablo, the generational aspect of his work is very important because of the history that it provides, and in his opinion elevates that work that he and the family does above that of hobbyists. He is also insistent that the work be called “ceramics” and not “pottery” as a sign of respect.
In addition to making traditional pieces for handcraft competitions, Pablo has experimented with more artistic works, such as participating in the Arte/Sano biennial of the Museo de Arte Popular in Mexico City, which pairs artists and artisans. In this case, Pablo created a life-sized robot figure completely in canelo pottery. Pablo states that it is important to continue innovation as pottery markets change.
However, Pablo states that canelo pottery is in danger of disappearing because the white and black clays used are found only in certain areas around Tonala, and these areas are in danger from urban sprawl."
I do combine shipping should you wish to purchase multiple pieces... Please message me regarding combined shipping costs...
Please take a look at my Ebay Store for more Mexican Folk Art, Hand Made Clothing and Jewelry.... VIVA MEXICO!!!