Doña Rosa Vase Oaxaca, Mexican Folk Art, Black Pottery, Blackware Signed.

Artist Biography & Facts

Dona Rosa (1900 - 1980) was active/lived in Mexico.  Dona Rosa is known for Black (barro negro) and shiny Oaxaca pottery.

Doña Rosa, whose full name was Rosa Real Mateo de Nieto, was a Mexican ceramics artisan from San Bartolo Coyotepec, Oaxaca, Mexico. She is noted for inventing a technique to make the local pottery type, barro negro, black and shiny after firing. This created new markets for the ceramics with collectors and tourists.

The origins of barro negro pottery extend over centuries, with examples of it found at a number of Mexican archeological sites, fashioned mostly into jars and other utilitarian items. It has remained a traditional craft of the Zapotecs and Mixtecs of the Central Valleys area to the present day.

Originally all barro negro pottery was matte and grayish due to the qualities of the clay and the firing process. In this form, the pottery is very sturdy, allowing it to be hit without breaking. The barro negro pottery of Doña Rosa’s hometown of San Bartolo has been traditionally used to make large cántaros, tall vessels used for storing and   ... 

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Facts about Dona Rosa

   Dona Rosa Born:  1900 -  

Oaxaco, Mexico

Died:   1980 - Mexico

Known for:  Black (barro negro) and shiny Oaxaca pottery

Name variants:  Rosa Real Mateo de Nieta

Doña Rosa, whose full name was Rosa Real Mateo de Nieto, was a Mexican ceramics artisan from San Bartolo Coyotepec, Oaxaca, Mexico. She is noted for inventing a technique to make the local pottery type, barro negro, black and shiny after firing. This created new markets for the ceramics with collectors and tourists.