Handcrafted Ceramic Pig Tealight Holder from Mexico, "Pirate Pig"

Update (August, 2019)

“For us as a family, it has been a beautiful challenge to create this work. We always felt an attraction for manual work that allowed us to express our talents and emotions.

“We continue working with the artisan technique of burnished clay, but giving a modern finish to our pieces. It is very important to show that touch of tradition and yet show evolution and innovation.

“It has always been a pleasure to work with the clay. Currently we have two people who are employed in our workshop. One of our projects involved sharing the models of our pieces for the remodeling of some hotels in the city.

“I believe that the real reason we dedicate ourselves to this art is in itself the pleasure and the passion to do things right. One of the main challenges we faced was sharing a part of ourselves in our pieces. Showing our passion through them.

“We are very happy to work with NOVICA. It has given us a lot of security in the quality of our work, and has allowed us to maintain this beautiful family tradition. We have demonstrated the quality and magic of Mexican art.”

Original Artisan Story

"Hello, I'm Israel García Ochoa. Our work was born of the desire to create something different in clay. It was my mother who began this project and who designs the majority of our pieces. We set up our workshop with the idea of offering a dignified job to people with physical handicaps. At the same time, we want to rescue the traditional technique known as barro bruñido, or burnished clay.

"We first shape the piece, either on a potter's wheel or using molds. Once dry, we prepare it so the surface will be glossy, working while the clay is still slightly damp. Then, with a compass, we mark the areas to be incised. Once the design is perfectly laid out, we add colors derived from different earth oxides. To finish it, we burnish it, forcing the color into the piece. For a shiny finish, we polish the clay with stone, while metal gives it a matte finish. The piece is allowed to thoroughly dry, and then fired. Our work of integrating the color with the clay and firing a piece only once results in a very resistant item.

"This kind of work requires a great deal of time and patience, as the pieces are generally small and include motifs such as the Virgin Mary, or crosses. Our designs are derived from the Mexican baroque tradition as well as contemporary styles. By combining a time-honored technique with our own passion for art, we achieve decorative pieces that are innovative and original. Each of one our ceramics has its own personality, as each requires many hours of work to bring it into being."