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chapter five
Majolica wares, but both ceramic technologies remain separate. In Santa Cruz Texcoco one young potter established a small factory for fine paste ceramics (Figure 31). He uses a different forming technique than the rest of the local potters. He pours fluid fine clay, bought specially for this purpose, into two vertical gypsum halve-molds fixed with a cord; he waits until the mold absorbs the water contained in the clay and then separates the molds. He makes figures, flower pots and domestic utensils which are fired in a kiln with reducing atmosphere. This potter learnt traditional pottery from an uncle, and he also worked in a workshop in which the wheel was used, but he did not like those works, and therefore decided nine years ago to establish this small factory. This new ceramic technology has not influenced at all the work of the other potters in Santa Cruz Texcoco. Both traditions remain separate. Thus, at present in the pottery towns of central Mexico the method of forming vessels is closely attached to the pre-Hispanic and early colonial past. Not only are vessels formed in the same way as in ancient times, but also the required knowledge and bodily skills continue being transmitted through the family. (c) Vessel surface finishing At present almost all the vessels produced in the flourishing pottery towns of central Mexico are lead glazed. The ancient surface finishing methods, such as red slip, burnishing or polychrome painting, are no longer present. In part the reason for this is the extensive use of lead glaze for decorating vessels. This finishing has now been constituted as the typical treatment of traditional domestic pottery in Mexico (Figure 32). It is easy to apply and considerably reduces the time and effort invested in refining the surface of the vessel after it is separated from the mold. Another reason for the predominance of lead glaze and the disappearance of other methods of finishing is that the present-day traditional ceramic industry has concentrated in the manufacture of cooking vessels and other domestic implements, in which decoration plays a minor role. Today many serving wares are porcelains, fine ceramics, stone wares or glass vessels. Therefore the market for traditional serving wares has been notably reduced, and accordingly their decorative variety has also reduced. In central Mexico potters used two kinds of glaze; one presents a yellowish tone after firing, and the other a reddish tone. Greta, the