page_title: Handcrafts and folk art in Guanajuato
section_title: Pottery
hierarchical_section_title: Handcrafts and folk art in Guanajuato / Types of crafts / Pottery
caption_attribution_description: Dolores Hidalgo, Guanajuato.
context_page_description: Guanajuato handcrafts and folk art are mostly of European origin although some indigenous work still survives in some communities. The most notable craft is the making of glazed mayolica pottery, followed by handmade traditional toys of various materials, especially a hard paper mache called cartonería. While handcrafts are not a large an industry here as in some other states, it does have several major handcraft markets which sell to tourists and foreign residents. Other handcraft traditions include wrought iron work, tin and glass, wood carving and leather working.
context_section_description: Guanajuato produces both glazed and unglazed pottery. In small indigenous communities, brown pieces with black decoration are produced. The city of Guanajuato makes black ceramics with gold decoration, a style introduced by an artisan named Behrens. It is not traditional but his work has been imitated, often not to the same quality. However, a glazed ware called mayolica is the most representative handcraft of the state.
  This pottery has its origins in the wares covered in a thick white glaze, brought to Mexico by the Spanish in the 16th century under the same name. Its making in Guanajuato was established in the colonial period, when it evolved to take on its own look.  It flourished here because of the wealth that the state’s silver mines produced, allowing for the creation of luxury items as well as more common pieces. The technique, which has not changed much over the past 400 years, has been used to make plates, jars, storage containers, cups, mugs, bottles, flowerpots and more.  Decorative motifs have not changed much since the colonial period either. Some of these designs were copied from Spanish pieces, but were adapted to Mexican tastes.  Today designs generally include animals, plants and human (from popular culture and history), along with stripes and geometric patterns.
  The color scheme of mayolica ware is vivid but distinct from others in Mexico. The technique has the same origin as the better-known Talavera pottery of Puebla, and can have many of the same colors; however, the term talavera is legally reserved only for ceramics produced in certain parts of Puebla.
  While made in various parts of the Bajío region of the state, the two main centers of production and sale are Dolores Hidalgo and the city of Guanajuato. Workshops range from small family concerns to large businesses with high production. Some of the most prestigious workshops are in Dolores Hidalgo, where it is said that Father Hidalgo introduced the craft. The clay used for mayolica pottery in the state is also mined near here. Most of the traditional designs are present in this work, especially the typical floral decoration, polychrome over a white background, often with reds and greens. However, there is evidence of industrialization.
  Mayolica wares have won national competitions and are sold throughout Mexico and abroad. One notable artisan is Gorky Gonzalez, winner of Mexico National Prize for Arts and Sciences. Gonzalez reproduces colonial era pieces, from pieces that survive from the era as well as original pieces based on the old designs. One common motif is the eagle from the Mexican seal, portrayed with wings spread.
caption: Wares from Dolores Hidalgo
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