In Part 2 we see how the pottery of San Marcos Tlapazola is fired using the 4,000 year-old tumble stack, surface fire technique, classic to Mesoamerica.
Please also visit www.TraditionsMexico.com for pottery and weaving workshops, and back-cactus tours in southern Mexico
Please also visit www.TraditionsMexico.com for pottery and weaving workshops, and back-cactus tours in southern Mexico
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3-On the morning of firing day the pots are set out in the sun
4-The heat of the sun pre-heats or "candles" the vessels.
5-Around 1:30, in the peak heat of the day, the potters begin to prepare the "kiln".
6-A ring of old pots is made, a layer of firewood laid down and the pots to be fired are then carefully placed inside this ring
7-there are red-slipped pots and non-slipped pots (that will be sold to the piñata maker)
8-All the potters in the household are involved in the firing and help load the tumble-stack kiln.
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10-while the placement of vessels might seem random, it is quite specific
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12-the stacked pottery is then covered with tin
13-which helps hold in the heat and reduce burn marks on the vessels, which the potters don't like.
14-wood, dry leaves and manure are placed on the tin and the fire is started with coals from the kitchen hearth.
15-again, all the potters help place wood on the fire
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17-for about 30 minutes the fire is tended
18-and fuel added in "cool" spots
19-Then the fire is left alone to burn out. Perhaps another 30 minutes while the hot embers bake the pots.
20-After about an hour the fire has burned down and the potters can unload their wares
21-they remove the sheets of tin to see how the pottery fared
22-with great care the hot vessels are picked out of the kiln
23-and set on the ground to cool
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