Mexican dinnerware reflects the culture and traditions of the region where they were made. In Oaxaca, clay pieces are often designed in traditional motifs, such as animals, flowers, and geometric shapes.
The clay is first shaped by hand. Afterward, these clay pieces are cooked at very high temperatures in a traditional ground oven. When the clay dinnerware (like plates) is ready, the artisans work very quickly to remove the pieces and then apply reduction techniques, coffee grains, and lots of semi-controlled smoke and flames are used to create artistic color variations.
The different variations in black and clay tones depend on the heat and the oxygen levels that each piece is exposed to.
The weather also plays a very important part in the process. If the wind or rain picks up during the cooking process and the pieces are exposed to extreme weather changes, the entire batch could break. This is very common and another reason why each individual plate that arrives at your home is truly a gift with a beautiful story to tell.
