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How do I identify Tonalá pottery?

1 Answer
How do I identify Tonalá pottery?
To identify Tonalá pottery, look at images shared on trusted online resources to become familiar with the traditional style of pieces produced in the city of Tonalá, Mexico. Two decorative motifs are often featured on Tonalá pottery. One is the nahual, a shapeshifter usually depicted as a smiling cat, and the second is the flor de Tonalá, a pattern featuring deep blue blooms and sometimes birds. Usually, Tonalá pottery will be predominantly white with areas of glossy brown visible along the top, bottom or both. For additional assistance with the identification process, consult a certified appraiser or experienced antique dealer. On 1stDibs, find a range of Tonalá pottery.
1stDibs ExpertNovember 4, 2024
Shop for Tonala Pottery on 1stDibs
Ken Edwards Set of 4 Vintage Sun Face Coasters Tonala Mexico Art Pottery, Set 1
By Tonala Pottery, Ken Edwards
Located in Clifton Springs, NY
Set of 4 vintage coasters is hand painted with Sun Face decor; each face is unique, with its own expression. Minimal color palette enhances the subtle variations between the pieces. We have 2 sets of coasters at the time of the listing; the decision was made to list them separately (set 1 and set 2) due to uniqueness of the facial art. The coasters are clearly signed by the artist on the bottom. Ken Edwards was born in the USA, educated in the Arts in Kansas City, Missouri and studied his art in Japan. In the 1960's Ken Edwards migrated to the crafts village of Tonala, in Central Mexico, where he and Jorge...
Category

Mid-20th Century Mexican Mid-Century Modern Ceramics

Materials

Ceramic, Pottery

Vintage Large Tonala Mexico Pottery Cat, Hand Painted, Signed
By Ken Edwards, Tonala Pottery
Located in Clifton Springs, NY
Playful stretching Tonala pottery cat figurine is decorated with beautiful hand painted abstract geometric and floral designs in blue, green, and earthy brown palette. Variations in...
Category

Mid-20th Century Mexican Folk Art Animal Sculptures

Materials

Ceramic, Pottery

Set of 2 Large Modernist Tonala Bird Sculptures
By Tonala Pottery, Ken Edwards
Located in Clifton Springs, NY
Set of 2 vintage large bird sculptures features striking Modernist shape and elaborate, highly detailed hand-painted decor. Traditional Tonala abstract flowers and leaves motifs in ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Mexican Mid-Century Modern Animal Sculptures

Materials

Ceramic, Pottery

Tonala Folk Art Bird Mexican Hand Painted Colorful Pottery 1960s
By Tonala Pottery
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Tonala Folk Art Pottery Plate Hand Painted Flying Bird, Mexico, circa 1960's. Vintage Mexican Tonala hand painted pottery bird Folk Art. Flora de la Cruz ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Mexican Folk Art Animal Sculptures

Materials

Ceramic

Folk Art Pottery Pitcher - Hand Painted Birds & Flowers - Mexico - Circa 1920's
By Tonala Pottery
Located in Chatham, ON
Exceptional Mexican folk art terra cotta pitcher or vase - medium size - fine, thin potted vessel - hand made and hand painted with birds and flowers in red, yellow and black enamels...
Category

Early 20th Century Folk Art Ceramics

Materials

Terracotta

Ken Edwards Signed Tonala Mexico Art Pottery Ewer Bud Vase with Bird
By Tonala Pottery, Ken Edwards
Located in Clifton Springs, NY
Vintage ceramic bud vase in shape of ewer was hand made by Ken Edwards in traditions of Tonala pottery. It is decorated with bird and abstrac...
Category

Mid-20th Century Mexican Folk Art Vases

Materials

Ceramic

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