Tavo Silveira

Mata Ortiz

Octavio Tavo Silveira Sandoval grew up surrounded by the potters of Mata Ortiz. His father, Nicolas (Silveira) Ortiz, taught him the basics but then Tavo was off on his own. He learned everything he could along the way and has earned the Best in Show award at the Concurso Ceramica de Mata Ortiz several times.

Tavo's style of painting is different in that he incorporates elements of the Quezada and Porvenir styles. He often makes medium-size ollas and puts a red slip on them, usually leaving the rim area unslipped. He'll incise the rim area and then paint the main area with (usually) symmetrical designs that incorporate Paquimé and Mimbres symbology.

More recently, Tavo has been collaborating with his son, Jesus Octavio Silveira, and they have earned a string of major awards at the annual Concurso Ceramica de Mata Ortiz. To confuse matters a bit more, Tavo has a younger son named Octavio Silveira but he appears to work mainly on his own.


Paquime feather, bird elements and geometric designs decorate a lightly carved polychrome jar
Lightly carved polychrome jar decorated with Paquime feather, bird element and geometric designs
8 in H by 5.75 in Dia
Measurement includes stand
Paquime geometric designs on a lightly carved polychrome jar
Lightly carved polychrome jar decorated with Paquimé geometric designs
6.5 in H by 6.5 in Dia
Measurement includes stand
Geometric design on a polychrome jar
Polychrome jar decorated with a geometric design
13.75 in H by 9.25 in Dia
Measurement includes ring
Geometric design in a band around the neck of a polychrome jar
Polychrome jar decorated with a band of geometric design around the neck
8.5 in H by 5.5 in Dia
Measurement includes ring
Bands of black geometric design on a red jar with a custom stand
Red jar decorated with a band of black geometric design and a custom stand
9.75 in H by 6 in Dia
Measurement includes stand
Lightly carved and painted geometric design on a polychrome vase Polychrome vase decorated with a lightly carved and painted geometric design
9 in H by 7.25 in Dia
Measurement includes ring
Lightly carved and painted band of geometric design on the neck of a polychrome vase Polychrome vase with a band of lightly carved and painted geoemtric design around the neck
9.5 in H by 7 in Dia
Measurement includes ring
Black geometric design on a red jar with a rolled lip
Red jar with a rolled lip and a black geometric design in a band around its neck
8.25 in H by 5.5 in Dia
Measurement includes stand
A lightly carved and painted seroent and geometric design on a polychrome jar
Polychrome jar decorated with a lightly carved and painted serpent and geometric design
7.5 in Dia by 9.75 in H
Measurement includes stand

Mata Ortiz/Casas Grandes Potters