Ceramic Jaguar

Hand-painted clay jaguar crafted by Tzotzil women artisans from Amatenango del Valle. Amatenango means “place of amate trees” in Nahuatl; this Tzotzil community lies in the central highlands of Chiapas, southern Mexico. Known as “the village of the potters,” it has preserved one of Mexico’s most important ceramic traditions.

In the Mesoamerican worldview, the jaguar is a deity: called Balam, it embodies strength and power, and Classic Maya rulers bore it as a symbol of status.

Each piece is made using ancestral techniques: the clay is mixed with sand for extra strength, burnished with river stones, and open-fired in wood kilns, giving it a rustic, authentic finish.

As a handmade product, every jaguar is unique and may vary in colours and finishes. Photos are illustrative; if you’d like to see the models currently available, contact us and we’ll send images of our latest stock.