Pottery in and around Pátzcuaro

Michoacán pottery is known not only for its quality, but also for the ancestral techniques used, and distinctive   designs   that   make   them   so   immediately   identifiable.   Pre-hispanic   techniques   were improved and perfected with the help of Don Vasco de Quiroga.  This resulted in the indigenous communities being able to take advantage of each community having its own specialty.  This avoids duplication of effort.

Mexican Pottery from Tzintzuntzan, Michoacán

Don Vasco de Quiroga sought to improve and organize handicrafts for the indigenous, and today – 500 years later – they remain the livelihood of many indigenous families in different communities of Michoacán, many of them located in the Region of the Lake of Pátzcuaro.

Michoacan Pottery

At Hotel Mansion Iturbe, we invite you, during your visit to our “Pueblo Mágico”, to visit these villages, meet the artists, and admire their hard work.  With your support, the artisans can preserve their culture and part of their identity.

Michoacán Pottery

You will find different clay techniques, including burnished clay, polychrome earthenware, glazed clay and more.

In Tzintzuntzan, another “Pueblo Mágico”, you will  find  polished  clay,  clay  glaze,  high-temperature pottery, ceramics, and white earthenware. It is located a short distance from Pátzcuaro. Aside from its famous pyramids (yácatas), Tzintzuntzan is also an important center for woven fibers and embroidery.

High temperature ceramics from Tzintzuntzan

Michoacán Pottery from Tzintzuntzan

Santa Fe de la Laguna is another distinctive village near the northern tip of Lake Pátzcuaro.  Artisans gladly open their doors – their workshops are traditionally part of their dwelling – to visitors. Their ornate black glaze candleholders are known far and wide.

Nicolas Fabian at his workshop in Santa Fe de la Laguna

Michoacán Pottery from Santa Fe de la Laguna

If you don't have time to visit all these indigenous lakeside communities – and there are many more! – you can get a good sampling of them at Casa de los Once Patios, which is another important artisan center.  Another source is the Huitziméngari Palace just down the street from Mansión Iturbe, where you can buy directly from artisans of different communities in the Lake Region.

Michoacán Pottery from Patamban

During Day of the Dead in Pátzcuaro, a huge tianguis, or expo, takes up the entire perimeter – in several layers – of the Plaza Don Vasco de Quiroga. This annual event is the deepest and widest cross-section of artisanware in the Pátzcuaro area. Areas represented include Ocumicho (whimsical   demons), San   José   de   Gracía (clay   pineapples), Cocucho   (enormous   pots),  Capula (Catrinas), and many others.

Michoacán Pottery from Cocucho

Michoacán Pottery from San José de Gracía

Michoacán Pottery from Ocumicho

Michoacán Pottery from Capula

Every day is a shopping day in Pátzcuaro! Our specialists in folk art at Hotel Mansion Iturbe can take you on a shopping trip you won’t ever forget!

*Text and pictures property of Hotel Mansión Iturbe.

We invite you to check more post in our blog, you will find information about Pátzcuaro and its surroundings, that we hope will be very useful for you.

Here are some post that we suggest you:

Folk Art and Its Economic Importance to the Communities around Lake Patzcuaro.

The Pottery Fair in Patzcuaro

Night of the Dead Pátzcuaro Artisan Competition

Hotel Mansion Iturbe
Portal Morelos 59
Plaza Vasco de Quiroga
61600 Patzcuaro, Michoacan
México

For more information about our Hotel in Patzcuaro

Reservations online at Hotel Mansion Iturbe

Tels: +52 (434) 342 0368 / 342 3628

Fax: +52 (434) 342 3627

Toll Free fax number from USA & CANADA: 1 866 678 6102


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