Tonalá, Jalisco, México

José de Jesús Álvarez Nogal is an award-winning artisan from Tonalá, Jalisco a place known as the center for Mexican handicrafts and decorative pottery. He was taught by is father, the late José de Jesús Álvarez Ramirez, who was an established artisan from the area as well. As the eldest of 7 children, José has continued the family business specializing in traditional Tonalá ware. His distinctive polychromatic pottery combines pre-Hispanic, European, and East Asian ceramic techniques and decorative styles.

José began working with clay at the age of five. He begins his process by digging the clay, which he then takes to a mill that turns it into powder. From there he does the “pisada”, a stomping or kneading by foot of the clay mixed with water. He forms each pieces with press molds, and once the molded pieces dry, he sands and smooth them. Afterwards the piece is coated with a finish color for the background and then he begins to paint the piece with flowers and animals, followed by “shadowing” of these designs. Among these traditional designs, the most important element are his depictions of nahuales. Nahuales are ancient totemic shape-shifting spirits represented as cats prancing across vessels and platters among the painted flowers, leaves and birds.  This is followed by the most important technique which is the polishing or burnishing. This is done with pyrite and a little water before the piece is fired for four hours.

In collaboration with Heirlome, Mr. Álvarez Nogal created print inspired  by his traditional techniques. During discussions with our Creative Director, he discussed the importance of the Nahual as a personal guardian spirit and protector.