Argosworks Posted May 8, 2014 Report Share Posted May 8, 2014 I have been asked to copy a Mexican Mortar for a friend from Mexico. She has used it for making salsa and the mortar is cracked. I want to make is safe to use. The mortar is 8 inches across and 4 inches tall. What clay should I use to make it? I usually use B-Mix or Speckled Buff. She wants to have the same pattern on the inside as the old one. Thanks for any help. Ginny Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lockley Posted May 8, 2014 Report Share Posted May 8, 2014 The usual material for a mortar and pestle is some grade of Porcelain. Coors and Co. comes to mind as the leading maker of commercial wear of that type. Many of the Mexican mortars are made of volcanic rock. I can't make a specific recommendation for clay. I don't know enough. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fuad Posted May 8, 2014 Report Share Posted May 8, 2014 That sounds awesome. I have a marble/stone one but never thought about using porcelain.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Darcy Kane Posted May 8, 2014 Report Share Posted May 8, 2014 Here is the one I use but then, I tend to be rough on equipment. I don't see where one of the clays you already use wouldn't be ok. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TJR Posted May 8, 2014 Report Share Posted May 8, 2014 That mortar looks like lead-glazed earthenware to me. If you switched to Bmix, it would be an improvement on her old clay. Matching colours and forms is usually a mine field. Hoe it turns out O.K. TJR. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Argosworks Posted May 8, 2014 Author Report Share Posted May 8, 2014 Thanks for the suggestions. I think the old one is earthenware. The thought of lead based paint makes me glad to make her a new one. I don't need to match the color, but she wants me to make a pig face on one side and the pig tail on the other side. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
williamt Posted May 9, 2014 Report Share Posted May 9, 2014 The color of the ridges in you picture is kind of reminiscent of speckled buff. That stoneware would hold up I think. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Argosworks Posted December 24, 2014 Author Report Share Posted December 24, 2014 Hello all, Just an update on this project - It took me four times to get what I considered a successful piece that satisfied the client. In my first post I asked for suggestions on copying an Mexican folk pottery. There were four pieces that I made. The first one was too rough in the interior of the bowl. I glazed the inside with a white glaze. It had the pig parts and pig tail, but was not what I wanted. The second try was too small and didn't have the pig pieces because the weather was so hot and I was not quick enough to attach the pieces before the bowl was bone dry. I painted some pig parts, but not very interesting. I gave it to my client to use and promised to make another bowl. I make two more bowl and the fourth one was the best. So here are the photos of the final bowl. My client is from Oaxaca, Mexico and told me that the name for this style of bowl is called Molcajete, which she uses to make salsa. On the fourth bowl, I did not stick to the straight lines for the grooves, but let it be loose lines. I did sand down the inside which was not glazed to make a cleaner surface. Yes, I questioned it I should glaze inside, but the old bowl did not have a consistant glaze. Thank you to those who answered by early questions. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joseph Fireborn Posted December 25, 2014 Report Share Posted December 25, 2014 Looks way better and less lead painted. Good job. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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