Suzy Martinez

Mata Ortiz

Suzy López de Martinez is a potter from the village of Mata Ortiz in northern mexico. She is known for her elegantly shaped black pots, created with her signature gunmetal polish and a bit of graphite. She works with her husband José Martinez and they often both sign the pots. Usually they make small pots and decorate them with finely executed Mimbres designs. Sometimes they make effigy pots with two or four heads on a round Mimbres style pot. Sometimes they exchange blackware for whiteware and create fine polychrome pots.

Bands of paquime feathers painted around the opening of a polished black graphite jar
Polished black graphite jar with bands of Paquimé feathers painted around the opening
8.25 in H by 7.75 in Dia
Measurement includes stand
Paquime geometric designs and a geometric cut opening on a black on black jar
Black on black jar with checkerboard and Paquimé geometric designs plus a geometric cut opening
2.5 in H by 3.25 in Dia
Feather design around the upper shoulder of a black on black jar
Black on black jar with feather design around the upper shoulder
2.75 in H by 4 in Dia
A band of feathers around the rim of a black on black swirl ribbed jar
Swirl ribbed black on black jar decorated with a band of feathers around the rim
2.75 in H by 4 in Dia
Geometric design around the shoulder of a black on black jar
Black on black jar with a band of geometric design around the shoulder
3.5 in H by 3.25 in Dia
Feather design above the shoulder and facted shape below the shoulder on a black on black jar with an organic opening
Black on black jar with an organic opening and a feather design above the shoulder, faceted shape below the shoulder
11.5 in H by 8.5 in Dia
Measurement includes stand
Paquime feather and geometric design around the shoulder of a black on black jar
Black on black jar decorated with a Paquime feather and geometric design
3.5 in H by 3.5 in Dia
Sgraffito and painted paquime feather and geometric design on a black on black jar
Black on black jar decorated with a sgraffito and painted Paquime feather and geometric design
5.75 in H by 6.25 in Dia
Measurement includes stand
Sgraffito and painted geometric design on a black on black jar
Black on black jar decorated with a sgraffito and painted geometric design
8 in H by 8.25 in Dia
Measurement includes stand
Paquime feather and geometric design on a black on black jar
Black on black jar with a Paquime feather and geometric
3.25 in H by 3.5 in Dia
Black on black jar with a feather and geometric design A feather and geometric design on a black on black jar
4.5 in H by 4.5 in Dia
Terrace cut neck and a geometric design on a black-on-black jar
Black-on-black jar with a geometric design and a terrace cut neck
7.25 in H by 4.25 in Dia
Measurement includes stand
Sgraffito and painted geometric design in matte black on a glossy black jar with a faceted base
Black-on-black jar with a faceted base and decorated with a geometric design
3.75 in H by 4 in Dia
Measurement includes stand

Mata Ortiz/Casas Grandes Potters

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