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Rustica Tours & Imports Specializes in Handcrafted Black Oaxaca Pottery & Small Group Cultural/Eco Tours Of Mexico's Backroads Including Oaxaca, Chiapas, & Michoacan.
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Rustica Tours & Imports specializes in handcrafted black pottery from San Bartolo Coyotepec, Oaxaca, Mexico. All pottery is crafted, carved, and signed by the gifted hands of the Reyna Simon Lopez family of Zapotec artisans. The versatile elegance of each piece defines the Reyna Simon Lopez style, which will enhance your surroundings.
These items also make special gifts. The lustrous black pottery is hand molded by an age old technique used by their ancestors. The use of two saucers functions as a rudimentary potter's wheel. The clay is extracted from a location found near the village. Upon gathering the clay, it is dried in the sun for four days, then rewet and sits for three more days. The artisan then kneads the clay with their feet.
The clay is then rolled into a straw mat forming a log shape. The clay shaped log is placed in the sun for one more day of drying. The clay log is then sectioned and molded on the rudimentary potter's wheel. The molded and carved piece is placed in the sun to bake. The piece is then burnished with certain stones, which produces the shine. The piece is placed in the wood fired ground kiln for eight to ten hours.
During the firing process, the oxygen starved fire results in a stark black piece of pottery. After firing, the piece is washed and dried. The entire process takes approximately 25 days. The flowers and trees on the pottery represent the vegetation of the community. The punched holes represent corn. The diamond shape holes represent the rainy season. The points represent the stars. Above all, the sentiments and ideas of the artisan goes into each one of her pieces of art.
Looking For A Unique Tour Of Mexico? Contact Us Today
At 512-923-5204!
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Reyna Simon Lopez was born in December of 1964 in San Bartolo Coyotepec in Oaxaca, Mexico to Calixto Simon and Carmela Lopez, descendents of the Zapotec people of South Mexico. At age 6, Reyna began carefully learning from her parents the traditional techniques of crafting black pottery. By age 14, Reyna dominated the step by step process and began infusing her own creativity into the craft. In time, Reyna learned and created new methods.
She has mastered an elaborate process which is reflected in each one of her creations. Now at age 43, Reyna has 37 years of knowledge and experience which she applies to her collections.
Reyna is now the teacher, as she is instructing her children, who have also become skilled potters. As a recognized talent, Reyna continues to create each piece by hand from start to finish. Each piece is signed, dated, and thoughtfully crafted. Obtaining pieces from the limited Reyna Simon Lopez collection is an investment that will increase in value and an investment that will help preserve an ancient pre-Hispanic art form.
To Learn More Call Us Today At 512-923-5204!
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