Nicolas Quezada Mata Ortiz Pottery Jar – 14" Hand-Coiled Polychrome Vessel

This exceptional hand-coiled pottery jar is the work of Nicolas Quezada, a master potter from Mata Ortiz, Chihuahua, Mexico, and the younger brother of Juan Quezada, founder of the Mata Ortiz pottery renaissance. Nicolas’s artistry is celebrated worldwide for advancing the techniques of this tradition while preserving its deep connection to ancient Paquimé (Casas Grandes) ceramics. His innovations in clay preparation and painting methods helped elevate Mata Ortiz pottery into the realm of fine art.

The vessel rises to 14 inches in height with gently rounded shoulders tapering to a narrow opening, giving the form an elegant balance. Its cream ground is decorated with bold black and red geometric motifs, painted freehand with mineral pigments. Sweeping arcs, lightning-bolt patterns, and finely executed crosshatching create a dynamic sense of movement around the surface. Signed “Nicolas Quezada” on the base, the piece is unmistakably his work, both in form and in precision of detail.

Mata Ortiz pottery is now collected by major museums and connoisseurs alike, and works by Nicolas Quezada are especially sought after for their combination of refinement, innovation, and historical resonance. This large-scale example stands as both a tribute to the desert landscape that inspired it and a showcase of contemporary indigenous artistry at its finest.

Condition:
Good condition, with no damage observed. Surface and painted design remain crisp and intact, with no chips, cracks, or restorations.

Dimensions

• 14 x 9 x 9 inches (height x width x depth).

A Campbell’s soup can is shown in photographs for scale.