Nicolas Ortiz Turtle

Nicolas Ortiz. Turtle. Mata Ortiz, Chihuahua, Mexico. Orange background with black geometrics designs. Weight: 1.4 lbs., height: 4.5 in., length: 9.5 in. width: 5.5 in. 

Nicolas Silveira Ortiz is a potter working in Mata Ortiz. He specializes in intricate carved and painted figures. His effigy pots are close to true form and fantastically painted with Paquimé and Mimbres designs. He learned the basics from his younger brother Macario and from hanging out at the Felix Ortiz house in the late 1970's. Since then he has become rather famous for his zoomorphic effigies: eagles, rabbits, javelina, snakes, mice and desert tortoises.