Mata Ortiz Pottery - National Parks Gallery

Almost two decades ago, a beautiful ceramic ware appeared in shops in El Paso, Tucson, and Los Angles. Each handmade piece was light, perfectly symmetrical, and covered with intricate painted designed in red and black. In the years since, these skillfully executed bowls, jars, and effigy figures have become well known as, “Modern Casas Grandes’ or “Mata Ortiz” ware. They now appear in the permanent collections and gift shops of the great museums of the West. All of this pottery comes from one tiny village on the remote high plains of northern Chihuahua, Mexico. Small Mata Ortiz bowls are available in our bookstore.