This is a really Fun Dog Head Clay Wall Ornament / key chain holder / hook. This piece was made by the Ortega Family, who are known for Barro Betus Pottery, Ceramica Fantastica from Tonala Mexico.   This sweet guy for make a great gift for the Dog Lover in your life, or a nice addition to your own Mexican Folk Art Collection.  Check out my Ebay Store for more pieces by the Ortega Family and lots of other handmade items from Mexico!!! 

A truly a whimsical piece that will be sure to please.  This piece measures 6 inches tall (including the metal loop at the top) by 3 3/4 inches wide and 2 3/4 inches deep.  

The Ortega family has been working in barro betus for generations. Also called Cerámica Fantástica (Fantastic Ceramics) because of the bright colors used, barro betus gets its name from the oil bath it receives in aceite de betus (oil of betus - a resin extracted from the pine tree) before it is fired. 

Santa Cruz de las Huertas, a suburb of Tonalá is known as the main producers of barro betus. Subject matter you will find ranges from roosters, coyotes, owls, figures to Trees of Life - all made with a whimsical sense of fun and bright colors. 

The Ortega family is well known for his Arboles de la Vida (Trees of Life). This generation of artists were taught by their father, Eleuterio Ortega Hernandez, and his grandmother, Natividad Hernandez. Gerardo is the 4th. generation to work with barro betus. 

Their grandparents worked in the fields in the planting and harvesting seasons and in their spare time were engaged in developing their art. Gerardo's grandmother designed pieces such as roosters, animals, candlesticks, chests of animals and fruits, covered with nahuales (a human being who has the power to magically turn him- or herself into an animal form, most commonly donkey, turkey and dogs, but also other and more powerful animals) bodies and surrealistic figures. The origin of barro betus dates back to colonial times and is surrounded by myths. The most popular pieces of art are the colorful Nahual figures with the reputation of coming from a magical world. 

The process begins with "tortillando" or kneading the clay into unique shapes. The kiln is readied and fires pieces created several days before. Before firing, the clay is black. The pieces have to be dried in the open air before baking them or they will explode. The firing is done at a very low temperature compared to other types of ceramics. Each figure is rubbed with birch oil just before firing, giving them a lacquered appearance once finished. Kilns are simple brick holes covered with old tiles. 

The village of Santa Cruz de las Huertas, Jalisco is the only village that makes barro betus which is one of the seven traditional ceramic techniques that Tonalá has become famous for.