Honouring Abuelito Matias
A Legacy in Clay

Sendero Decor is also a tribute to my great-grandfather, Matias de León Pacheco, and the generations of artisans who shaped the cultural and artistic heritage of Guatemala. A Life Devoted to Clay Born in 1886 in Quiché, Abuelito Matias was a man of quiet strength and discipline, whose hands shaped raw earth into timeless beauty. He dedicated his life to pottery, creating hand-molded nativity figures, oxen, mules, and sheep, as well as vases and pots crafted on a manually powered wheel. His craft was not just a trade; it was a way of life, passed down from generation to generation. Inside His Workshop His workshop was a space of quiet focus, where the rhythmic motion of his potter’s wheel set the pace of his days. The wheel, nearly a meter in diameter, was powered by foot, turning with steady precision as he sat, shaping each piece with patience and care. But his process began long before his hands touched the clay. He prepared his own raw materials with expertise, grinding clay and talpetate into fine dust using a stone mill. By rolling a wooden bar in circular motions, he refined the mixture until it reached the perfect texture. Once ready, the clay was molded by hand or shaped on the wheel, then left to dry naturally under the sun. The firing process in his wood-fueled kiln was a delicate balance, too much heat could cause cracks, while too little would leave the pieces fragile. After firing, he carefully applied oil-based paints and sealed his work with a transparent varnish, giving each piece a smooth, glossy finish. His pottery was sought after by merchants who carried his creations to markets in Guatemala and El Salvador, spreading his craftsmanship beyond his hometown. Yet, despite the reach of his work, each piece remained deeply personal, a testament to his dedication and artistry. A Man of Discipline and Reflection Abuelito Matias followed a structured routine, balancing his work with quiet moments of reflection. His days were spent shaping clay, while his evenings were reserved for listening to the radio, where social commentators discussed injustices, government inefficiencies, and the struggles of everyday people. Sundays were his time of rest. He dressed in his finest suit to attend church, followed by an afternoon at the movies, a simple pleasure he enjoyed. His financial discipline was as meticulous as his craft. Since he earned money only twice a year, he managed his expenses with great care, ensuring he always had enough to sustain his work and livelihood. A Lost Legacy, A Renewed Purpose Like many artisans, his legacy gradually faded with time. His invaluable knowledge and remarkable skills were not preserved, and his craft was lost. Though I never had the privilege of meeting him, his story has left a lasting impression on me. It serves as a reminder of how fragile artisan traditions can be when they are not carefully nurtured and protected. Sendero Decor is my way of supporting today’s artisans, ensuring their crafts like his once was, continue to thrive for future generations. A special thanks to my family and friends who have supported Sendero with their time, efforts, dedication, and stories, helping bring this tribute to life. Thank you for being a part of this journey.