The most widespread craft in Mexico is pottery, in all Mexican states clay is worked in multiple forms, or at least some kinds of ordinary pottery are created.
The history of modern Mexican pottery dates from the time of the oldest pre-Hispanic cultures that left their mark in countless pottery discovered today by the passage of the plows and machines that build roads and other public works.
These objects reflect the remarkable artistic conception of indigenous potters, whose influence is evident today in some forms and decorations.
The largest production of pottery now comes from entities where large indigenous cultures flourished in the past.
This is from an area of Jalisco and Nayarit, in the West, the Gulf of Mexico and then to the southern border.
In the north pottery is produced only for local consumption, thus never reach the internal markets due to their limited production.
Naturally, the forms and decoration of the Indian pottery changed radically after the Spanish conquest to take the technical forms brought by the Europeans.
Thereafter, the changes are part of an ongoing and irreversible process that modifies and renews the craft.
In this process of change, similar to what occurs in other Mexican crafts, many different factors are involved, including: the emergence of new needs of the consumers, the use of modern materials that simplify the work, the shortage of good clays and other quality raw materials and, more importantly, the presence of each new generation of potters who express in their creations the ancestral heritage of their elders, but also, necessarily, their own sensitivity that reflects the world around them, that makes them work faster at the expense of good quality of their work.
Currently, there are many traditional forms such as pitchers and other vessels used to carry and store water; or as the pots and jars, with a wide variety of styles, that can still be found in markets and fairs.
However, in some places it is evident the disappearance and displacement of these traditional forms with new ones created by the craftsmen themselves and whose production will be more affordable to yield greater economic benefits than small ancient forms that are no longer sold or can only be sold for a few pesos.
However, the current production of pottery of various kinds is still very important in the country.