Octavio “Tavo” Silveira:
A Reputation for Mastery

Chimayo Trading Staff Report | March 2026

Octavio “Tavo” Silveira stands as one of the most accomplished and internationally recognized master potters of Mata Ortiz, a small village in northern Chihuahua, Mexico, renowned for its exquisite revival of ancient Casas Grandes (Paquimé) ceramic traditions.

Visit Chimayo Trading Del Norte in Ranchos de Taos, NM to see the mastery of Octavio “Tavo” Silveira, or visit chimayotrading.com where you can see New Arrivals from Mata Ortiz and our extensive collection of Mata Ortiz Pottery.

13.5″ x 10″
$1800

Mata Ortiz pottery begins with the ancient Paquimé culture, which flourished between roughly 1200 and 1450 CE in what is now northwestern Mexico and southern New Mexico. This sophisticated society produced beautifully decorated pottery featuring intricate geometric designs. After the decline of Paquimé, the techniques were lost for centuries, surviving only in scattered archaeological fragments around the ruins near the modern village of Mata Ortiz (formerly Juan Mata Ortiz).

Juan Quezada, often hailed as the father of the modern Mata Ortiz revival, began experimenting with these ancient shards. Through trial and error, he reverse-engineered the coiling, hand-building, natural pigment, and pit-firing methods of his ancestors, creating pieces that captured the spirit of Paquimé while adding his own innovative flair. Quezada shared his knowledge with family and neighbors, sparking a grassroots artistic movement that transformed the village.

Two Piece
16.5″ x 10″
$1900

Octavio “Tavo” Silveira emerged as a leading second-generation figure in this tradition, mentored early in the revival era (including influences from Quezada himself). Tavo has built a reputation for exceptional mastery, versatility, and innovation within the traditional framework. He excels in techniques like precise sgraffito (fine carving or scratching into the surface), deep carving with polished raised elements against matte backgrounds, meticulous hand-painting of geometric patterns, serpents, eagles, parrots, dragonflies, bees, flowers, and other motifs drawn from Casas Grandes iconography.

Sgraffito
12.5″ x 8.5″
$900

Tavo’s pieces often blend sculpted details creating a dynamic synthesis of ancient heritage and personal expression. Collectors prize his attention to detail, elegance, and consistent quality, with works appearing in fine galleries, auctions, and private collections worldwide, often commanding significant prices.

9.25″ x 7″
$450

A family legacy continues through his collaborations (sometimes with his wife, Myrna/Mirna Hernandez) and their sons, including Jesús Octavio Silveira (born 1977, award-winner in Mata Ortiz contests) and another Octavio, who represent the third generation immersed in the craft from childhood. Tavo gained broader visibility through appearances like the PBS series Pati’s Mexican Table (Season 13, “The Magic of Mata Ortiz”), where host Pati Jinich visited the village, learned its history directly from him, and highlighted his worldwide recognition.

2008
16.5″ x 12″
$2850

Through artists like Tavo Silveira, Mata Ortiz pottery remains a vibrant, living tradition bridging millennia of cultural heritage with contemporary artistry and sustaining a unique community legacy in the high desert of Chihuahua.

Chimayo Trading preserves this traditon by offering a large collection of Mata Ortiz pottery that never fails to surprise collectors with something new.

Through artists like Tavo Silveira, Mata Ortiz pottery remains a vibrant, living tradition bridging millennia of cultural heritage with contemporary artistry and sustaining a unique community legacy in the high desert of Chihuahua.

Chimayo Trading preserves this traditon by offering a large collection of Mata Ortiz pottery that never fails to surprise collectors with something new.

If you have enjoyed our newsletters and learning about the artists and artwork we represent, or if you’ve had a good experience visiting our gallery, please take a moment to let us know by leaving a review using the links below.

Come to the gallery to see where History Meets Art in Taos..

#1 Saint Francis Church Plaza
Ranchos de Taos, NM 87557

575.758.0504

We buy individual pieces or whole collections.

Contact us for the evaluation and resale of your collectible art.
We’re interested in locating relevant collections and original New Mexico artwork for purchase. We buy historic and contemporary relevant paintings, pottery, jewelry, textiles, weavings and more.

Contact us directly to discuss and evaluate your collection. If you’re an artist, contact us about the possibility of selling your art on consignment or direct wholesale purchase.

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