Leopoldo De Mexico Pot

I purchased this lovely signed ceramic pot today, tried doing some research but I can find absolutely nothing on the artist. All I know is that he was a native american potter perhaps in mexico? I would love any information anyone has on the artist and perhaps how old this pot is in particular. About 8 inches high, three scenes depicted. Thank you!

 

Hi, Rachel and welcome!

There does seem to be a lot of Leopoldo de México pottery floating around the internet but, surprisingly, no one seems to know anything about the maker. Let's hope someone on the forum can provide you with more information.

In meantime...

Think we can assume that, given his signature, your pot is indeed from México. And rather than Native American, unless we can determine otherwise it's much more likely Leopoldo was mestizo as that's the country's largest cultural group (estimated at between 50% and 90% of the population.)

Debora

 

How unfortunate! I too hope someone can shed some light on this mystery potter, I love his work.

Excellent! I wonder how it got all the way to a shelf of a small town antiques store in rural France lol. Interesting! I'll have to look into that group and see what I can find.

 

Isn't it interesting how far things can roam?

Debora

 

It is indeed! I wonder how long its been on this side of the ocean. Are you able to tell the approximate date of the pot regardless of artist or is it a style/pattern that is tough to narrow down?

 

I saw this! However this seems to say he solely made large burnished black pots?

 

The pot in question is not Native American, and not the work of any one person named Leopoldo de Mexico.

It's common souvenir pottery, factory "signed" to make it appear to be hand-made, similar to those pots made by a number of companies in the US that do the same thing.

All you have to do is check out any of the hundreds of signed examples found online, or in local thrift shops, and you will finds that the "signatures" are usually hand-written, but vary considerably from pot to pot. Some have an upper case "D," for example, some a lower case "d." Far too many are found all over the world, to be the work of a single potter!

 

How disappointing! I looked a few signed pots up on ebay and the signatures do seem to vary. I thought I had something pretty nice lol. Well I like it so I don't mind keeping it, and if I do decide to sell as was originally planned, I only payed 2 euros for it. Is there a way to tell its age anyway?

 

Thank you, Taupou, for the definitive answer.

Debora

 

Rachel, I apologize, I certainly didn't intend to post an answer that came across as so abrupt, especially directed at a new member's question. I at least could have started out with "Unfortunately, ...." or something a little less direct.

Welcome to the board, and please remember that when it looks like some of us on this side of the pond come across as lacking common polite behavior, or even approaching insanity, it may be that we've just been been watching too much news!

 

Oh not at all don't worry! I'm grateful for the information and it wasn't impolite at all. It was nice to clear it up. The pot was in the junk section of the shop so I thought I had made a 'find'. Apparently more difficult then first thought lol! Its interesting that neither man nor company come up when searching the name though, very odd!

 

It's a very attractive pot to rescue from a junk section. I say... Use and enjoy!

Debora

 

Very similar to an unsigned pot I bought in Mexico in 1978.

 

Interesting! Nice find, I personally love this type of art. Perhaps gives my pot some sort of time frame as well?