Jar

The proposed gift includes pottery made in a style named for the small Mexican village of Mata Ortiz (Chihuahua, Mexico). The Tradition draws upon the ancient work of the Casa Grandes culture (1000-1400 AD), it was established in the 1960s and 1970's by Juan Quezada (Mexican, born 1940), after he discovered prehistoric shreds in the countryside of Mata. Quezada trained others in his community and in a relatively short time, the village has become a mecca for ceramic collectors.

The large-scaled jar created by Leyda Quezada featurespai8nted designs inspired by the historic works of various cultures from the Southwest and Northern Mexico, while it's reflects her contemporary perspective.

This work will expand the range of Native American communities represented in the MFA collection and will serve as complex examples of the linage of traditions and contemporary innovation found in the rich history of craft and trade in the Southwest. Like recent acquisitions of Shan Goshorn's basketry and the forthcoming gift of Wounaan basketry from Panama, these works will contribute the story of living traditions, of Indigenous making, taking inspiration from historical and ancient works, but which support contemporary communities.