Nahual and Moon Dish, Burnished Clay

Burnished Clay is one of Pottery's oldest techniques, as well as the one with the most Pre-Hispanic tradition, from which other techniques came to be. Drawing mastery is one of its most notable features, represented with a “pure" decorative style, which is predominant in these pieces, including abstract floral motives, symbolic animal representations and even geometric shapes. Traditional Mexican Elements are added to its themes: Such as the Eagle, Snake, Nahual (A Shapeshifting being commonly found in the Mexican mythology), Nopal (Cactus), and Pre-Hispanic patterns that form the synthesis of a very particular and characteristic scenario.

For its elaboration, clay-filled molds are used. The handles, “ears”, and other details are molded separately, and then embedded on the whole piece. It is then left to dry, before getting a soft sanding. After that, the piece is given an “Engobe” bath (a watery mix of clays) with the dual purpose of covering the smallest pores and serving as a background base for the paint. The painting of the design is achieved by mixing local types (of clay) with different tones.

Burnished Clay acquires its name from the shimmer obtained by rubbing the pieces with a burnishing tool made from a mineral named pyrite. The burnishing process starts by sanding the raw piece with river stones or very thin wet sanding paper. Once the piece is dry, it is bathed with a color that serves as a background for the decoration. Colors applied to the piece are all from mineral origin, prepared by mixing liquefied clay from the region, known as “flor de tierra” (or the Soil’s flower in English). For painting, several different traditional brushes are used, some of them made from cat’s fur, dog fur, squirrel’s tail fur, or even Fox’s tail fur. Once the piece is decorated, it is then burnished. The whole production process comes before the piece is fired, therefore, if a piece is not well crafted, it may be damaged while in the fire. The firing temperatures oscillate around 600ºC (around 1112 Fahrenheit), traditionally using firewood obtain a low flame.

Geronimo Ramos Flores

He is considered to be one of the great Potters of our time. Born in Zapotlan el Grande to a Potter family, and the oldest of 5 siblings, Geronimo started exercising his profession and devotion for pottery. It was during the 60’s, after losing his parents, Geronimo decided to move to Tonala, Jalisco, at the young age of 15.

After 27 years in Tonala, Geronimo had the opportunity to learn and became close to great artisans of the Petatillo Clay Pottery technique, such as Pedro Chavez Bernabe, and Jose Antonio Mateo Nuño, producing several displays of his great talent.

Geronimo has not only worked with Petatillo Clay, he has mastered techniques such as Burnished Clay and high temperature clay firing. He’s won several awards, on a Regional, State, and National level. He also has won the “Premio Nacional de la Ceramica” award several times over.

With a serious personality, yet with a very peculiar sense of humor, Geronimo is someone who loves his art and spends long hours in his workshop. Geronimo instills all of his knowledge and amazing creativity in each piece he creates, which can range from something as simple, as a coffee cup, to a more elaborate piece, using the most intricate decorations, worthy of the awards he’s received.

In the hands of this Zapotlan-born Artist, Petatillo and Burnished Clay tell the story, customs and traditions of the people of Tonala, who gladly opened their doors for him and made him their adoptive son, a son who has proudly represented them in the most deserving of ways.