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Brunido – burnished pottery, one of three prominent |
styles typical to Tonala, Jalisco, Mexico. (The others are: bandera and petatillo.) Brunido (burnished style) is named to describe the smooth, shiny appearance that the technique produces. The effect is created by polishing with stone and pyrite.
(Shown working on a fabulous “designs from the 40’s” pot, June 2007.)
Working in his studio home on a side street in Tonala…you know you are at the right place when you smell the wonderful aromas of the ladies cooking out front. A Master of Tonala, and represented in the Great Masters of Mexican Folk Art book. Many of his designs feature symbols characteristic of Tonala pottery: the nahual and the flor de Tonala.
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| You might notice the large cats with smiling faces, a common way to depict the nahual. The nahual is a shape shifter who switches between human and animal forms and is sometimes seen as a shaman. |
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| Gerardo Ortega Lopez
A descendent of artist Candelario Medrano…Gerardo Ortega and his family make the big, bright, colorful figures that capture the imagination. Sirena, roosters, dogs (including amazing perro pyramids), churches and the fabulous “happy trees.” Very whimsical and primitive in style.
On a side street in Tonala, you can see the ornate pottery trademark pieces decorating his building. Inside, many folks are at work, modeling, firing and painting. Then packing and shipping! Amidst the artists are chickens, at least one goose and the family dogs…all enjoying the sunny courtyard workshop. |
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Ancient Aztec Design
Representation of a butterfly (Paplotl)
on flat stamp from Azcapotzalco
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