Mata Ortiz Mexican Pottery By Ruben Rodriguez

20th Century

3" H x 4.75" D

Hand Coiled Blackware with a High Glossy Polish and a Matte Feather and Line Motif Design with a Square Opening

In Very Good Condition

Ruben Rodriguez (sometimes listed as Ruben Rodriguez Guillen) is a respected Mata Ortiz potter who learned the craft through family connections—his younger brother Manuel studied under revival pioneer Juan Quezada. Ruben is particularly known for exceptional high-polish black-on-black finishes.

The Mata Ortiz Mexican Pot by Ruben Rodriguez is a classic example of traditional Mata Ortiz pottery from the Casas Grandes region in Chihuahua, Mexico. Mata Ortiz pottery revives ancient Paquimé (Casas Grandes) styles from pre-Columbian times, featuring hand-coiled, hand-painted ceramics with intricate geometric designs, often inspired by archaeological motifs. Artists like Ruben Rodriguez specialize in black-on-black ware which vessels are reduction-fired to achieve a deep black color, then highly stone-polished (sometimes multiple times) for a mirror-like sheen, before fine-line painting in black slip for subtle contrast.