Vintage Tarahumara/Rarámuri Pottery from Northern Mexico - 10.5" H X 13" Diam.

This is a vintage piece of pottery from the Tarahumara Peoples (also known as the Rarámuri). They are an indigenous people who live in the Sierra Madre Mountain range in Northern Mexico/El Norte.  

The pottery is an ovoid shape with a flat bottom. The shoulder of the pottery juts out on one side and the neck is wide and tapers up to a semi-rolled rim. The color of the pottery is a light brownish orange and has black fire marks in various areas including the bottom underside.  Although a great majority of Tarahumara pottery is wrapped in a rawhide lattice design or goatskin, this example does not include that because this piece was most likely a beer fermenting pot, and the fire marks are the result of the applied design - not true fire marks due to an open fire. The bottom interior is black due to the use of the fermentation ingredients. 

Tarahumara pottery is utilitarian in design, and they make Indian pottery of rough earthen clay in white, orange and brown. Their pottery is not polished and is rustic and still made as it has been for generations. The pottery is made for cooking purposes with the base formed first and the sides built up using coils of clay. The paint is obtained from red ochre, iron oxide or hematite and applied with the fingers or by means of a feather or cloth wrapped stick and is made without a potter's wheel. 

Perfect as an accent piece in a range of décor styles from Wabi Sabi, California Casual, Organic-Inspired, Warm Minimalist... to Southwestern or Coastal Modern Design. Includes a Plexi ring for display.   

Place of Origin: Chihuahua, Mexico 

Date of Manufacture: 1960s-1970s 

Condition: Excellent 

Wear: Scuff marks, small pieces of glaze missing and chips. Consistent with age and use. Please refer to pictures. 

Dimensions:

Total: 10.5 in. H X 13 in. Diam.

Mouth: 8 in. Diam.

Reference:

Milwaukee Public Museum

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