Juan Quezada Mata Ortiz Polychrome Jar — Signed Geometric Masterwork

This exceptional signed jar by Juan Quezada Celado (1940–2022) embodies the artistry that brought worldwide recognition to Mata Ortiz ceramics. Hand-coiled and stone-burnished, the vessel is finished in a soft salmon ground with intricate painted designs in black and iron-red. Interlocking grids, stepped frets, and sweeping arcs wrap around the form with extraordinary precision, creating a rhythm of geometric abstraction that reflects Quezada’s rare ability to unite ancient Paquimé symbolism with a contemporary sensibility. The thin walls, flawless polish, and disciplined brushwork mark this as a museum-caliber example of his craft.

Juan Quezada was the visionary who, by studying shards found near the ancient ruins of Paquimé, revived and reimagined a lost ceramic tradition. Entirely self-taught, he developed his own methods of clay preparation, slip application, and open firing, and in doing so transformed his hometown of Mata Ortiz into a celebrated center of ceramic innovation. His work has been featured in major international exhibitions, including the groundbreaking Juan Quezada and the New Tradition, and is held in the permanent collections of institutions such as the Smithsonian and the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. In 1999, Mexico honored him with the Premio Nacional de Ciencias y Artes, the nation’s highest award for the arts.

An artwork of this caliber is not simply decorative—it is a cornerstone of modern ceramic history. For collectors of Southwestern, Mexican, or world ceramics, this signed Juan Quezada jar offers both cultural legacy and aesthetic mastery in equal measure.

Condition

Good, no damage noted. Surface remains smooth and design crisp, with no visible cracks, chips, or repairs.

Dimensions

Height: 11 in
Diameter: 9 in
(Shown with Campbell’s soup can for scale)