Betty Quezada Mata Ortiz Pottery Jar – Hand-Coiled Polychrome with Sculptural Cutout

This elegant hand-coiled pottery jar is by Betty Quezada, a highly esteemed potter from Mata Ortiz, Chihuahua, Mexico, and a vital member of the Quezada family—central to the revival and innovation of Mata Ortiz ceramics. Betty, wife of Noe Quezada (Juan Quezada's nephew), inherited the traditional techniques crafted by Juan himself, and reinterprets them using her personal artistic vision and finely polished surfaces. Her work exemplifies the continued evolution of the “Quezada style,” known for its symmetry, precision, and graceful negative spaces.

The jar’s rounded form is animated by a sculptural cutout rim, introducing both visual drama and tactile invitation. Its surface—painted freehand with mineral pigments—reveals spiraling geometric motifs, stepped patterns, and closely worked crosshatching in a striking palette of black and red over cream. These intricate rhythms unfurl around the vessel, drawing the viewer’s eye in a graceful visual dance. The base is incised with “Betty Quezada,” grounding the piece in both artistry and authenticity.

Betty Quezada’s pottery resonates with a rare sense of harmony—her forms honor ancestral tradition while embracing contemporary sculptural expression. The cutout rim transforms this jar from a vessel into a dynamic sculptural object; the bold, polished surface and rhythmic decoration combine to create a compelling visual narrative steeped in cultural legacy. A centerpiece in any collection, it will captivate with its blend of heritage, innovation, and artisan brilliance.

Dimensions

Approximately 10 x 12 x 12 inches (height x width x depth).
A Campbell’s soup can is shown in photographs for scale.

Condition

Very good condition overall. Painted decoration remains vivid and precise. Minor surface marks consistent with handmade creation and age, with no cracks or structural damage.