Ceramics Type

Collection
San Miguel Acocotla, Atlixco, Puebla, Mexico

Elizabeth Terese Newman

 Table of Contents
Vessel Forms 1

Ceramics Types 6
Coarse Earthenwares 6

Unglazed Coarse Earthenwares 6

Glazed Coarse Earthenwares 10

Earthenwares 15

Majolica 15

Refined Earthenwares 22

Porcelains 24

References for Historic Ceramic Analysis 27

Copyright 2013 Elizabeth Terese Newman. All Rights Reserved

 Vessel Forms
A mphoraAmphorae are
only found in the smooth un-
glazed coarse earthenware type. They
identified as belonging to this vessel
form, seven in red glazed earthenware
and one in brown glazed earthenware.
Bacins are wheel-thrown. They gener-
vessels were made out of local, lead-
glazed earthenwares most commonly,
while the smaller vessels were made
out of majolicas and refined earthen-
were hand-built and often exhibit
ally have slightly out-leaning, straight wares. (fig. 2)
burning on their exterior surface. They
walls and a sharply everted lip. Due
have strap handles (fig. 1).
to the small sample size, no rim diam- 3
eters are available.

B
1
owlBowls were recovered
in both glazed and unglazed
earthenwares including majolica, as
well in refined earthenwares. Most
have direct rims with rounded lips,

B
though some examples with everted
and scalloped rims were identified.
They range in rim size from 12 to razierBraziers are a
30 cm. As a general rule, the larger common vessel form pre-dat-

B
ing the arrival of the Spaniards, and,
acinThe bacin is a strictly though they do appear at Acocolta,
they are uncommon. At Acocotla,
historic period vessel form and
they are primarily made out of smooth
was most often used as a chamber pot.
orangeware and sometimes exhibit
Few examples were found in the cal-
decorations hand-painted in a red slip.
panera at Acocotla. Eight sherds were
2 No examples of a glazed ceramic ap-
pears in the collection. (fig. 3)
1
B rimmed PlatoA
brimmed plato is a historic
made predominantly out of unglazed
coarse earthenwares, but 21 brown-
C olanderColanders
they were very rare at Acocot-
maintaining an even cooking surface.
(fig. 8)
glazed earthenwares (black on brown
glazed, green glazed, polychrome,

F
glazed redwares were also identified brown glazed and red glazed), pol-
period vessel form. They are wheel- la. Only two unglazed earthenware
as cajetes. They appear to be sized for ished redwares and smooth redwares.
thrown and seen only in majolicas,
whitewares, and porcelains. No
tableware and individual consumption
sherds were identified as belonging to lowerpot Flowerpots (fig.9)
this vessel form. No manufacturing in- were uncommon at Acocotla.
rather than for serving vessels. (fig.
examples were identified in locally formation or rim diameter is available Only two sherds of brown glazed
5)
produced redwares. The plato has due to the scarcity of examples and
outleaning walls and a wide, everted
7 earthenware were recovered.
the fact that both fragments were from
rim. Rim diameters vary widely, mea-
suring from 12 to 24 cm. At Acocot-
la, brimmed platos likely represent
tableware for individual consumption 5 C azuelaCazuelas are
large, flat-bottomed cooking
the body of the vessel.

C omal Comales are ce-

I ncense Burner In-
cense burners appear primarily
in the cup form. The rim diameter
10

C
pots. They have out-leaning walls and ramic griddles for cooking measures 10-13 cm and the base

as none of the vessels in this category
were large enough to act as serving
vessels (at least not by European stan-
andlestick Acocotlas
candlesticks were largely made
dards). (fig. 4)
of black glazed redware, but examples
were also found in lead glazed earth-
enwares (black
on brown, brown,
and red), smooth
4 identified, though these may simply
everted rims which often have fin-
ger-impressions that form a scalloped
edge. Rim diameters range from 10
to 50 cm. At Acocotla, cazuelas were
predominantly made out of all types
of lead glazed earthenwares. A few
examples of smooth redware were
L
tortillas. They are the most frequently measures 7-9 cm. Modern versions
identified vessel at Acocotla (16,999 stand about ebrilloLebrillos are bowls
comal fragments were recovered). Rim 25 cm
or basins with out-leaning walls
diameters measure 50 cm or larger.
tall. They and slightly everted lips. At Acocotla,
We found two sub-types of comal. The are most
they were only found in majolicas.
first was a smooth redware, slipped in frequent-
The rim diameter of the lebrillos range
red on its cooking surface. The body
ly seen in from 11 to 20 cm, but the most com-
of these vessels is very thin. The sec- black glazed mon measurement was 12 cm. The

C
ajeteCajetes are wide-
mouthed, flat-bottomed bowls
that are seen in both the prehistoric
and historic periods. They were both
hand built and wheel-thrown. Cajetes
have a direct rim and a flat lip. The
rim diameter ranges from 14 to 22
cm. Some are decorated on the inte-
rior surface. At Acocotla, they were
redwares, polished ond form is a much thicker redware
be from unglazed portions of the earthen- small size of the majority of this form
redwares, and
smooth orange-
pot. Modern cazuelas are frequently
glazed on the interior surface and up-
slipped in red as well, but then pol-
ished on the cooking surface. Both
ware, but
examples
recovered at Acocotla argue that these
particular remains were table- or serv-
wares. In general,
per part of the exterior surface. (figs. have direct rims with rounded lips. were also ing-wares. (fig. 10)
rims measured 4
7) Both also have a roughened, sandy un- found
cm in diameter. derside likely for conducting heat and of lead-
They have a direct
rim and rounded
lip. (fig. 6)
7 8
2 3
M olcajeteMolcajetes
were found in both glazed
and unglazed coarse earthenwares,
but not in any of the more decorated
wares like majolica. Rim diameters
measure 16-24 cm, and the vessels
have a direct rim with a tapered lip.
Molcajetes appear in both glazed and
unglazed coarse earthenwares, but
never the more decorated ware types
like majolica.
11
O
llaArchaeological ex-
amples of ollas found at
Acocotla have narrow necks of vary-
ing lengths, out-leaning rims and
rounded lips. Rim diameters vary
from 6-31 centimeters. Six percent of
the 2994 vessel fragments identified
as ollas exhibit burning on the outer
surface, suggesting that while a few
vessels may have been used for cook-
ing, this was not the most common
use. Most likely, they were used to
store water and other liquids. Ollas
appear in both glazed and unglazed
wares. They are most common in
burnished redware but also appear in
lead-glazed coarse earthenwares. (fig.
11)
P
itcher/Ewer/Jug/
JarThese four categories
were comprised of 689 vessel frag-
ments, with the majority of vessels
identified as jugs. All four vessels are
similar to ollas, but have an annular
base and are often much smaller. The
base of the vessels measures between
4 and 10 cm. Vessels often, but not
always, have
one or two
handles.
Rims are
both direct
and slightly
everted and
measure
4 5
between 4.5 and 18 cm (most com-
monly between 10 and 15 cm). The
bodies of the vessels are often glob-
ular and the necks are straight. The
ware types identified were exclusively
lead-glazed redwares including black
glazed redware and polychrome red-
ware. (fig. 12)
P
lateAt Acocotla, vessel
fragments assigned to the cate-
gory of plates were identified as being
flatter vessel forms than brimmed pla-
tos. All have direct rims with rounded
lips. The base of the vessels usually
have an annular foot ring. Rim di-
ameters measure between 10 and 30
centimeters. The rim measurements
are dominated by two sizes, a small,
ranging from 11-13 centimeters and a
larger size measuring from 22-26 cm.
The most common ware types for this
vessel form are whiteware and 19th
century Majolica.
P osilloA posillo is a han-
dled mug or cup. Only six frag-
ments were identifiable as posillos at
an annular foot ring. Rim diameters
usually range from 7-12 cm, though
some have been identified as large as
15 cm. These vessels were identified
Acocotla, all of them belonging either
in all glazed ware types, including red
to unidentified majolica or 19th cen-
glazed redware, majolica, whiteware
tury Majolica types. All vessels have
and porcelain. (fig. 13)
a direct rim with an everted lip. The
rim diameter measures 7 centimeters.
Bases have an annular foot ring mea-
suring 4 cm in diameter. The designs
on these vessels are placed on both
interior and exterior surfaces on the
lips, bodies and near the base.
T
aza/Tazon/Cup
These three vessel forms are
grouped together here due to the diffi-
culty in distinguishing between them,
as well as due to the fact that they
would have served similar, possibly
identical, functions
(for consuming
both beverages
and soups). All
three have steep
sides with a slight-
ly everted rim
and a rounded
lip. The bases of
the vessels have
 Ceramics Types
Coarse Earthenwares
Coarse earthenwares are porous ceramics fired at 900-1050 degrees Celsius. They are often tempered with a coarse-
grained grit of sand, gravel, and/or hematite. Coarse earthenware vessels are most often handmade in small quantities for
local exchange and use. At Acocotla, coarse earthenwares include unglazed and lead-glazed redwares.
Unglazed Coarse Earthenwares
Unglazed coarse earthenwares make up 32.51% of all ceramics collected during
excavations at the Hacienda Acocotla. Within this category, unnamed redwares,
brownwares, and orangewares (as defined by paste color) were identified. These
were further differentiated by surface treatment (smoothing, polishing, or bur-
nishing). Additionally, two named types of unglazed earthenwares were identi-
fied: Mexican Red Painted Ware and Guadalajara Polychrome.
6 7
S mooth Redware
Dates: 16th-18th centuries, but prob. 19th century as well given their pres-
ence at Acocotla.
Subtypes: Smooth Red, Smooth Brown, Smooth Orange, Smooth Red
on Brown, Smooth Cream, Smooth Black and Cream on Red, Smooth Red
on Orange, Smooth Red on Light Brown, Smooth Red and White on Light
Brown, and Smooth Red on Red
Paste: Homogeneous appearance. Predominantly black, volcanic inclu-
sions. Inclusions are Angular (.1-.3 mm in size). Occasionally has round or
angular red inclusions of about .7 mm. Paste color ranges from 2.5YR 5/8 to
5YR 6/6.
Surface Treatement: Often, but not always, slipped. Occasionally hand
painted with geometric designs.
Vessel Forms: Primarily utilitarian forms including: Bowls; Braziers; Ca-
jetes; Candlesticks; Cazuelas; Comales; Lebrillos; and Ollas. Also some figu-
rines and spindle whorls.
P olished Redware
Dates: usually identified as early colonial, but prob. 19th century as well given their presence at Acocotla.
B urnished Redware
Dates: Colonial Period. Possibly later due to the presence at Acocotla, but
the ceramics found at Acocotla were both very fragmented and limited in
Subtypes: Polished Cream; Polished Orange; Polished Brown; Polished Red; Polished Red on Brown; Polished number suggesting they may be intrusive.
Black; Polished Beige; Polished White and Brown on Beige; Polished Yellow and Brown on White; Coarse Or-
ange. Subtypes: Red Burnished a.k.a. Mexican Red Painted, Black on Red
Burnished, Orange Burnished, Brown Burnished, White on Brown Bur-
Paste: Homogeneous appearance. Predominantly black, volcanic inclusions. Inclusions are Angular (.1-.3 mm in nished, Red on Brown Burnished, Red on Orange Burnished, White on Red
size). Occasionally has round or angular red inclusions of about .7 mm. Paste color ranges from 2.5YR 5/8 to 5YR Burnished, Black on Brown Burnished, Black on Orange Burnished, Grey
6/6. on Red Burnished, Black and Red on Brown Burnished, Black Burnished,
Tonal Polychrome (or Guadalajara Polychrome), and Burnished Poly-
Surface Treatement: Slipped and chrome.
polished on either one or two surfaces.
Not painted. Paste: Homogeneous appearance. Predominantly black, volcanic inclu-
sions. Inclusions are Angular (.1-.3 mm in size). Occasionally has round or
Vessel Forms: Bowls, Cajetes, angular red inclusions of about .7 mm. Paste color ranges from 2.5YR 5/8 to
Comales, Jars, Ollas, Plates, and Roof 5YR 6/6.
Tiles.
Surface Treatement: Slipped
and Burnished to the point of being
reflective (like a mirror). Sometimes
hand-painted in geometric, botan-
ical, or zoomorphic designs. May
also be encrusted, incised, or differ-
entially burnished.

Vessel Forms: Bowls, Cajetes,

Cazuelas, Jars, Mugs (in Tonal/
Guadalajara Polychrome only), Ol-
las, Plates.

8 9
 B rown Glazed Redware
Dates: 16th century through the present. Most common during the 19th
century.

Subtypes: Black on Brown Glazed Redware; Green on Brown Glazed Red-

ware.

Paste: Granular clay with white and clear quartz inclusions (less than .3
mm), some inclusions of black volcanic rock (.2-.6 mm), occasional red in-
clusions (.8 mm). Paste is similar to that of the unglazed red wares but more
refined. Color of the paste ranges from 5YR 6/8 to 2.5 YR 5/8.

Surface Treatement: Clear Lead-Glaze resulting in brown surface. Som-

times stamped with decorations. Black on Brown Glazed wares have black
underpainting in geometric or botanical designs.

Glazed Coarse Earthenwares Vessel Forms: Primarily utilitarian forms including: Cajetes, Cazuelas,
Jars, Molcajetes, and Ollas. Painted wares also in Candlesticks, Incense
Burners, and minature vessels.
More than half of all ceramics recovered at Acocolta were lead glazed redwares. All of the type variants discussed in this
section have the same paste, but were separated out by surface treatment and decoration. The surface treatments that
were identified included: red glazed, brown glazed, black on brown glazed, stamped, green glazed, polychrome glazed
and black glazed earthenwares. With the exception of the black glazed earthenwares, the majority of the lead glazed
redwares are utilitarian vessel forms for cooking and storing food.

Lpez Cervantes (1976) and Mller (1982) suggest that dates for lead glazed earthenwares range from the first half of
the 16th century through the beginning of the 19th century, though in reality manufacture of these goods continues to-
day. Many vessels indistinguishable from those found in the archaeological record are available for purchase in markets
throughout Mexico.

10 11
G reen Glazed Redware
Dates: 16th century through the present. Most
common during the 19th century.

Subtypes: Black on Green and Brown on Green

Glazed Wares.

Paste: Granular clay with white and clear quartz

inclusions (less than .3 mm), some inclusions of
black volcanic rock (.2-.6 mm), occasional red

B
inclusions (.8 mm). Paste is similar to that of the
unglazed red wares but more refined. Color of
the paste ranges from 5YR 6/8 to 2.5 YR 5/8. lack Glazed Redware
Surface Treatement: Green lead glaze over Dates: 16th century through the present. Most common during the 19th
red or brown paste. Somtimes stamped with century.
decorations. Black and Brown on green have
hand-painted designs in either geometric or botanical patterns under green glaze. Subtypes: none.

Vessel Forms: Bottles, Cazuelas, Flower Pots, Jars, Ollas, Olive Jars, Molcajetes, Pitchers, Paste: Granular clay with white and clear quartz inclusions (less than .3
and Plates mm), some inclusions of black volcanic rock (.2-.6 mm), occasional red in-
clusions (.8 mm). Paste is similar to that of the unglazed red wares but more
refined. Color of the paste ranges from 5YR 6/8 to 2.5 YR 5/8.

Surface Treatement: Black, graphite-like lead glaze on the outside. Fre-

quently un-glazed on the inside.

Vessel Forms: Ritual Objects. Most commonly, cup-shaped incense burn-

ers and candlesticks, but also minature vessels.

12 13
P olychrome Redware
Dates: 16th century through the present. Most common during the 19th
Earthenwares
Earthenwares share many of the characteristics of coarse earthenwares. They are also fired at temperatures ranging from
900-1050 Celsius, have a porous paste, and are tempered with sand, gravel and hematite. There are three important
century.
differences between the two ware-types. Earthenwares are often factory or mass-produced for wide distribution. The
Subtypes: none. clay used for the earthenwares is processed more extensively to get rid of iron inclusions. Finally, earthenwares are often
tin-enameled, which produces a white ground onto which brightly colored designs are often painted. The only ceramic
Paste: Granular clay with white and clear quartz inclusions (less than .3 to fall into this category at Acocotla is majolica. Eleven types of majolica were identified at Acocotla.
mm), some inclusions of black volcanic rock (.2-.6 mm), occasional red in-
clusions (.8 mm). Paste is similar to that of the unglazed red wares but more
refined. Color of the paste ranges from 5YR 6/8 to 2.5 YR 5/8.

Surface Treatement: Painted in multiple colors, usually green and white,

with some black accents. Designs mostly botanical and somtimes band-
ed. Majolica
Vessel Forms: Ollas and Cajetes. Majolica is found throughout Hispanic America, though only 7.48% of the arti-
facts recovered at Acocotla could be so classified. Nine specific types of majoli-
ca were identified, along with the broader grouping of 19th Century Majolica.
The ten identified categories will be discussed in detail below. The collection
as a whole is dominated by 19th century Majolicas, though a few examples of
earlier types were present.

All majolica vessels were tablewares, no utilitarian vessels were found.

A few of the vessels exhibit marks from cockspurs, and others show examples
of production errors such as vessels that had stuck together during firing or were
poorly painted. This may be due to the fact that the majolicas present in the
workers quarters were lower quality (because the workers were of lower so-
cio-economic status) or it may reflect the lack of regulation for the production of
majolicas that came with Mexican Independence in the 19th century.

14 15
N ineteenth Century Majolica
Dates: 19th century.

Subtypes: Amanclan Polychrome, Cuatlazingo Polychrome, Esquitlan Black on Yellow, Los Olivos Polychrome,
Mayorazgo Polychrome, Nopaltepec Polychrome, Otumba Polychrome, Tetepantla Black on White, Tetepantla Poly-
chrome, and many unidentified patterns.

Paste: Two paste types, one pink and one cream. Pink paste (7.5 YR 7/4, 2.5YR 6/8, 5YR 5/6) is homogeneous with
small inclusions (.1-1 mm) of either calcite or quartz. Also present are a few black inclusions of .5 mm or larger.
Cream paste (2.5Y 8/3 or 8/4) is homogenous withwhite or ochre inclusions of .1-1.0 mm.

Surface Treatement: Brown, orange, green and black on both white and yellow backgrounds. Often, dou-
ble-banded in either black/brown or orange, with a decoration below in black, green or yellow.

Vessel Forms: Tablewares such as bowls, brimmed platos, plates, and cups. Platos were decorated on the interior
surface, primarily with banded designs at the rim and often a design in the center of the plate. Generally, these forms
exhibit out-leaning walls and broad, sharply everted rims. The rims measure 18-25 cm. Many of the vessels have an-
nular bases measuring 8 to 12 cm. Bowls and cups are decorated on the exterior surface, again generally with band-
ed decorations at the rim. They have straight walls, narrow, everted rims and either scalloped or rounded lips. Rim
measurements usually range from 8 to 15 cm, with the majority measuring less than 12 cm. Annular bases measure
between 4 and 6 cm.
16 17
A bo/Aranama Polychrome
Dates: Abo Polychrome: 1650-1750; Aranama Polychrome: 1750-1800.
Subtypes: None.
Paste: Two paste types, one pink and one cream. Pink paste (7.5 YR 7/4,
2.5YR 6/8, 5YR 5/6) is homogeneous with small inclusions (.1-1 mm) of
either calcite or quartz. Also present are a few black inclusions of .5 mm
or larger.Cream paste (2.5Y 8/3 or 8/4) is homogenous withwhite or ochre
inclusions of .1-1.0 mm.
Surface Treatement: Yellow rim band delineated by black lines, below which floral designs are painted in, most
commonly, green, orange, yellow and blue. The designs are globular and outlined with fine black lines.
Vessel Forms: At Acocotla, only brimmed platos.
H uejotzingo Blue on White
Dates: 1700-1850
Subtypes: None.
Paste: Two paste types, one pink and one cream. Pink paste (7.5 YR 7/4, 2.5YR 6/8, 5YR 5/6) is homogeneous with
small inclusions (.1-1 mm) of either calcite or quartz. Also present are a few black inclusions of .5 mm or larger.
Cream paste (2.5Y 8/3 or 8/4) is homogenous withwhite or ochre inclusions of .1-1.0 mm.
Surface Treatement: Banded Rim in blue. Otherwise undecorated white or cream slip
Vessel Forms: At Acocotla, only brimmed platos.
18
O axaca Polychrome
Dates: early 19th century-present
Subtypes: None.
Paste: Compact paste seemingly without inclusions. Orange in color
(5YR 6/6 or 10R 5/8). Under a microscope (at 3X) small white inclusions
(.1 mm), probably quartz, are present.
Surface Treatement: The designs are splotchy efforts of an unknown nature in a variety of colorsblue, purple,
green, and yellowcarelessly running over each other (Goggin 1968, :201).
Vessel Forms: Tablewares, primarily cups (tazons/tazas) and plates.
P uebla Blue on White
Dates: 1700-1850 (maybe 1675-1830)
Subtypes: None.
Paste: Two paste types, one pink and one cream. Pink paste (7.5 YR 7/4, 2.5YR 6/8,
5YR 5/6) is homogeneous with small inclusions (.1-1 mm) of either calcite or quartz.
Also present are a few black inclusions of .5 mm or larger.Cream paste (2.5Y 8/3 or
8/4) is homogenous withwhite or ochre inclusions of .1-1.0 mm.
Surface Treatement: Designs in two tones of blue hand-painted on a white enam-
el ground. At Acocotla, the majority of sherds show floral designs in the center and on the body of the vessels and a
single blue band at the rim.
Vessel Forms: Tablewares, primarily cups (tazas) and plates.
19
P uebla Polychrome
Dates: 1650-1725
S an Luis Polychrome
Dates: 1650-1750.

Subtypes: None. Subtypes: None.

Paste: Two paste types, one pink and one cream. Pink paste (7.5 YR 7/4, Paste: Two paste types, one pink and one cream.
2.5YR 6/8, 5YR 5/6) is homogeneous with small inclusions (.1-1 mm) of Pink paste (7.5 YR 7/4, 2.5YR 6/8, 5YR 5/6) is homo-
either calcite or quartz. Also present are a few black inclusions of .5 mm geneous with small inclusions (.1-1 mm) of either
or larger.Cream paste (2.5Y 8/3 or 8/4) is homogenous withwhite or ochre calcite or quartz. Also present are a few black inclu-
inclusions of .1-1.0 mm. sions of .5 mm or larger.Cream paste (2.5Y 8/3 or 8/4)
is homogenous withwhite or ochre inclusions of .1-1.0
Surface Treatement: Lace-like or spider web-like designs in fine black/brown lines. The spaces between the black/ mm.
brown lines are filled in with blue, or sometimes yellow and green.
Surface Treatement: Hand-painted decorations
Vessel Forms: Tablewares including Bowls, Brimmed Platos, and Cups. in green outlined in dark brown. Patterns are usu-

S
ally crude geometric or botanical designs which are
an Elizario Polychrome placed at the rim and in the center of the vessel.

Dates: 1750-1850 Vessel Forms: Tablewares including Bowls,

Brimmed Platos, and Cups.
Subtypes: None.

Paste: Two paste types, one pink and one cream. Pink paste (7.5 YR 7/4, 2.5YR 6/8, 5YR 5/6) is homogeneous with
small inclusions (.1-1 mm) of either calcite or quartz. Also present are a few black inclusions of .5 mm or larger.
Cream paste (2.5Y 8/3 or 8/4) is homogenous withwhite or ochre inclusions of .1-1.0 mm.

Surface Treatement: Light blue with accents of fine black-brown lines; rim is blue lobes accented in black-brown
suspended from a blue or brown band. Center often decorated with the image of a long-legged wading bird.

Vessel Forms: at Acocotla, none identifiable (only one sherd identified at Acocotla.
20 21
Refined Earthenwares
Refined earthenwares are more highly fired than the ceramics discussed above, usually at temperatures ranging from
1050-1150 Celsius, making the paste of the ceramic less porous. They are also generally made out of a more highly
processed clay than the earthenwares discussed above, which allows for less warping and damage during firing at high
temperatures. They are often lead glazed and tempered with finely ground calcined flint, rather than the coarser tempers
seen in the vessels discussed above.

At Acocotla, refined earthenwares were seen only in the form of whiteware vessels, and only 339 sherds were recovered.
All that could be assigned to vessel forms were identified as having come from tableware.

In Mexico, whiteware vessels were imported from both the United States and
Europe until the period following the Mexican Revolution when Mexico be-
gan producing its own whitewares for the first time, though failed attempts
at its production had been made in Puebla as early as 1837 (Castro Morales
2003:253-256; Fournier 1990). With the exception of sherds from recently
produced vessels found during the surface survey, most of those we recovered
seem to have been imported from abroad.

22 23
Porcelains
Porcelain is an extremely high-fired ceramic (1300-1450 Celsius). Unlike the ceramics discussed above, it is made with
primary clay and has no temper. It is pegmatite-glazed and factory-made for a commercial market. Chinese Porcelain was
widely available in the Latin American market after 1573 when the Manila Galleon began trade between Spain and the
Philippines (Deagan 1987:96). The trade route ran from the Philippines to ports in Acapulco, then overland via Puebla to
Veracruz where it was loaded onto ships bound for Spain. Initially, the flood of porcelain sold at prices lower than both
ceramics produced locally and in Europe, forcing local potters to attempt to compete with the newly popular style (Lister
and Lister 1974:28-29). Artisans in Puebla, a center of ceramic production in New Spain, became heavily influenced by
Chinese designs as a result of these processes, resulting in many of the blue on white majolica patterns discussed above.
In spite of the ready availability of porcelain in nearby Puebla, its presence is limited at Acocotla.

Only 40 sherds of any kind of porcelain (representing less than .001% of the entire collection) were recovered during
survey and excavations. The porcelain represents a wide variety of sources. One piece of brown-glazed Chinese por-
celain was recovered from above roof fall in the northeast quadrant of Room 22. This porcelain type dates to the 18th
century (Deagan 1987:101). The base of a French porcelain cup was recovered from immediately below the plow zone in
the midden. The makers mark dates it to the last decade of the 19th century and first decade of the 20th. The remaining
fragments were too small to identify more specifically, though they appeared to represent a variety of tableware forms,
including cups, bowls, brimmed platos and plates.

24 25
 Suggested References for the Analysis of
Mesoamerican Historic Ceramics
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