Large Cocucha Vessel by Margarita Martínez Santos, Mexico

A large scale hand-built earthenware vessel attributed to Purépecha ceramicist Margarita Martínez Santos of Cocucho, Michoacán, Mexico. 

Cocuchas are monumental earthenware vessels traditionally made by the Purépecha potters of Cocucho, Michoacán. Developed from generations of utilitarian pottery used for cooking and storage, the dramatically enlarged cocucha emerged during the latter decades of the 20th century and became an important expression of the region's ceramic tradition. Built entirely by hand using coils of local clay, the vessels are burnished and fired outdoors over wood, producing the distinctive and unpredictable black smoke markings across their surfaces.

Dimensions (cm, approx): 
Height: 96
Diameter: 50

Condition: Fair with minor surface imperfections, as pictured.