Red Clay Plate

$30

Made by Women of the Red Clay in San Marcos Tlapazola, Mexico

Product Story

The perfect simple side or salad plate. Made of natural red clay or 'barro rojo' by a cooperative of women in San Marcos Tlapazola, Oaxaca, Mexico. They are handbuilt and fired outside in an open flame. 

Traveling to design and work directly with our artisan partners is our favorite part of our jobs at MINNA. We are always scouring the local markets and meeting artisans to find interesting, handcrafted goods that remind us of our travels to bring directly to you.

Due to nature handcrafted goods each plate may differ slightly

Product Details

  • Not sold as a set
  • 9"dia x .5"h (w/ foot) 
  • Recommended hand wash, oven and dishwasher safe
  • Naturally lead free
  • Sourced directly from artisans in Oaxaca, Mexico

Made by Women of the Red Clay in San Marcos Tlapazola, Mexico

In the small Zapotec village of San Marcos Tlapazola, women have been making pottery out of red clay gathered from high in the surrounding mountains for twenty generations. Using their hands and tools such as pieces of smooth leather, corn cobs, and a deconstructed basketball as a pottery wheel, the women have traditionally made comales (flat griddles usually used to make tortillas) and cazuelas (fire and oven safe covered dishes for stews).

About these artisans

In the 1980s, as industrialization crept towards the remote village and slow-crafted, handmade pottery began to be replaced by cheaper and faster materials and techniques, the younger generation of artisans decided to expand outside of the traditions of previous generations. The then 18-year-old Macrina Mateo began to travel outside the village to learn how to adapt their goods and practices to reach new groups of people interested in the history and the distinctive aesthetic of the red clay. Today the village is thriving and the women of the red clay are known worldwide for their unique offerings.