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Turquoise Butterfly & Desert Wildlife Motif
Mata Ortiz
Ceramics & pottery

Authentic Mata Ortiz Sgraffito Ceramic Pot by Alex Jurado – Turquoise Butterfly & Desert Wildlife Motif

$595.00
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Product Details

Bring the vibrant soul of the Chihuahuan desert into your home with this museum-quality, hand-coiled Mata Ortiz fine art pot. Masterfully crafted by the multi-prize-winning artisan Alex Jurado, this exquisite 15 cm vessel showcase the painstaking sgraffito (hand-etched) technique. Featuring a stunning contrast between a bold black geometric band and a lively terra cotta landscape adorned with brilliant turquoise butterflies, this signed collectible piece is a breathtaking tribute to Mesoamerican heritage and contemporary ceramic innovation.

Composition & Care

Dust gently with a dry, soft microfiber cloth or a feather duster, do not use water, liquid cleaners, or abrasive materials. Display in a dry indoor environment away from direct, harsh sunlight to maintain the vibrancy of the turquoise accents. Rest the rounded base on a traditional fabric or leather ring (not included) for stable display.
Ceramic Pottery
Fragile
Dust With a Dry Soft Cloth
Avoid Direct Sunlight
Painted By Hand Using Natural Pigments
Made From Locally Sourced Organic Material

Size & Dimensions

Height: 15 cm, Width 15 cm

Delivery & Returns

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Description:

The Artistry of Alex Jurado

Hailing from the historic village of Juan Mata Ortiz in Chihuahua, Mexico, Alex Jurado (Raul Alejandro Jurado Domínguez) is a celebrated, third-generation master ceramicist. Highly recognized for his exceptional versatility and precision, Jurado has won numerous prestigious accolades—including the National Ceramics Award in Tlaquepaque.

This particular ovoid pot is entirely hand-built using the ancestral coil-and-pinch method, hand-burnished to an earthy glow, and fired traditionally. Using an ultra-fine etching needle, Jurado spent hours cutting through layered slips to create a mesmerizing textured mosaic, contrasting brilliantly with a stark, black geometric band inspired by ancient Paquimé and Anasazi iconography.

The Story: Life in the Chihuahuan Oasis

To the passing traveler, the Chihuahuan desert appears as an expanse of quiet, sun-baked earth. But beneath its rugged exterior lies a hidden world of vibrant, resilient magic. This pot tells the story of the desert’s secret waters. Deep within the ancient, subterranean streams and ephemeral seasonal pools, the elusive desert fish navigate a world unseen, symbolizing survival and hidden depths. When the rare, life-giving rains finally kiss the terracotta soil, the desert instantly wakes up.

Meticulously etched into the mosaic background of this vessel, curious desert bugs and insects emerge from the cracked earth, scurrying among the blooming flora. Above them all, the crown jewels of the desert sky—the spectacular turquoise butterflies—burst forth in a flutter of brilliant blue wings. Jurado beautifully juxtaposes the rigid, ancient geometry of human history with the wild, fluid, and joyful awakening of desert wildlife.

  • Artist: Signed by Alex Jurado on the base

  • Origin: Juan Mata Ortiz, Chihuahua, Mexico

  • Material: Locally sourced Chihuahuan clay, natural mineral slips, and turquoise pigment

  • Technique: 100% hand-coiled, stone-burnished, and intricately hand-etched (sgraffito)

  • Dimensions: 15 cm Height × 15 cm Width (at the widest point)

  • Usage: Decorative art piece only. Because Mata Ortiz pottery is fired at low temperatures to preserve natural clay hues and hand-painted pigments, it is porous and cannot hold water

 

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