El Dorado Pottery offers replicas of ancient Mexican art

By Gary George
Correspondent

His trips to Mexico started on a regular basis 25 years ago and he discovered Aztec and pre-Columbian art at the anthropology museum in Mexico City.

Dennis McCann was amazed at the quality and vision of the art and started to look for artists who could re-create this style. He commissioned several artists and began to decorate his home in Oak Hills.

Ashley Ramirez for the Daily Press
Dennis McCann displays some of his beautiful Mexican pottery.

"As I started accumulating this art I found that guests were interested in it and I thought that I might start an online and storefront business. I started www.mexarte.com online 15 years ago. It's a niche market, but people into it recognize the value," McCann said.

McCann tries to create museum-quality replicas of known art pieces created before the 1519-1521 conquest of Mexico by Cortez that is considered pre-Columbian. This includes three major cultures-Aztec, Mayan and Olmec -- and goes back 3,000 years.

McCann opened El Dorado Pottery in June 2005 in Victorville in order to enlarge his focus from art and jewelry to pottery. He felt the area's growth factor required decorations and planters for inside and outside homes.

"Because of my travels in Mexico, I knew the best resources for product and who could provide us with the best quality, designs and colors. I decided in order to provide the best prices that I would bring it in by the container load," McCann said.

El Dorado Pottery sells retail, but also offers wholesale prices to other retailers, nurseries and landscapers.

"We are also the High Desert dealer for Avilas fountains. Customers can order from one of their many hundreds of styles and customized finishes," McCann said.

El Dorado Pottery also has display cases full of beautiful jewelry, most of it made from gorgeous sterling silver.

"We found jewelry makers in Taxco who were able to create jewelry with authentic pre-Columbian designs. It's made from the highest quality sterling silver and inlaid with semi-precious stones such as turquoise, mother-of-pearl and malachite. Our website is www.aztecajewelry.com," McCann said.

The store also offers a wide selection of colorful metal art, hand painted plates and vases, talavera (handpainted glazed pottery), flowers and dolls made of corn husks, many types of unique home decor items, fountains, framed art and garden art such as turtles, eagles and coyotes.

McCann said he is getting a good idea of what people like and is keeping up his inventory. "We have many repeat customers and they often bring their friends," he said.

McCann also said he is planning on bringing in many special new items for the holidays.

El Dorado Pottery is located at 17053 D St. (Highway 18), cross street of 10th Street in Victorville. They can be reached at www.ElDorado@verizon.net or (760) 245-1445.

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