Costa Rican Chorotega Pottery by

                                                        Willy Villafuerte

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Ceramic based pottery has been a tradition in Costa Rica since 1000 BC.

 

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  costa rican pottery by villafuerte 003   costa rican pottery by villafuerte004     For  over 800 years the Chorotega Indians made a style of hand thrown, hand made and hand painted pottery which they passed down from generation to generation.    
                 
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Once an indigenous tribe to Costa Rica, the Chorotegas have long since been assimilated into modern Costa Rican Society. 
 

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In the town of Guatil, located in the beautiful northwest province of Guanacaste, the residents continue making pottery in the Chorotega tradition. 

 

 
                 
 

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The most noted of the Guatil based artisans is Willy Villafuerte.  Firing pottery over wood fires in an outdoor kiln, Willy has totally hand created each of the pieces shown here from scratch. 

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  costa rican pottery by villafuerte 010   costa rican pottery by villafuerte 011      Most of the designs shown here are based on Chorotega fertility and power symbols.    
                 
  costa rican pottery by villafuerte 012   costa rican pottery by villafuerte 013     Many of the motifs shown here are also available on slightly larger or smaller sizes. Please inquire if you like a particular design but would like a different size.    
                 
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In the artist's own words:

"The geometric threads and braids represent a woman's hair.  All of the figures are representations of natural sources.  The feathered serpent is adored in my culture, part serpent and part bird, she has the attributes of a redeemer.  In this moment, she represents our intimate contact with nature.  It is both religous and day to day.   It has been kept alive for many centuries.  It is why we continue the art and tradition.  It represents the way we live and love our culture."
                 

  

  Blue Coyote Gallery                    6145 E. Cave Creek Rd.                 Cave Creek    AZ         85331

                                 480-488-2334                               info@bluecoyotegallery.com