Barro Pendant Light: Oaxacan Clay and Glass by Graypants

Barro is a pendant that looks as if it was lifted out of the ground and switched on: a wood-fired clay body from Oaxaca, Mexico, topped with a blown-glass shade that lets the light glow softly through. Designed by Caterina Moretti of Peca design studio with Graypants, it brings the quiet weight of a handmade object to a dining table, kitchen island, bar or bedside.

Choose Natural Clay with Clear Glass for warm, earthen tones, or Charcoal Clay with Smoke Glass for a deep, smoky black. Every Barro is made to order, so the piece that arrives is made for your space.

The Design Story

"The black clay technique dates back from pre-Hispanic times."

Caterina Moretti, Barro designer, speaking to Dezeen

Barro grew out of a simple idea: let raw materials speak. Caterina Moretti of Peca design studio is drawn to nature and raw materials, and to the way one material can take many shapes and textures, from the special to the everyday. For Barro she honored the black clay tradition of San Bartolo Coyotepec, in Oaxaca, and gave it a clean, contemporary silhouette that keeps the hand of the maker visible instead of hiding it behind a glaze. It is a craft that, in her words, "tells our people's story of empirical knowledge, exploring and communicating with nature."

She chose Oaxacan artisan Amando Pedro to make each pendant. "When I first met Amando Pedro, I was struck with his vast knowledge of the barro negro craft and his passion for it," she said. "I was also struck by his eagerness to experiment and innovate." The glass shades are blown in a workshop in the city of Oaxaca, and Moretti kept close communication between the artisan, the glassblowers and herself throughout.

Graypants itself began in Seattle, founded by architects Seth Grizzle and Jonathan Junker, and today works from studios in Seattle and Amsterdam. It is best known for sculptural lighting made from unexpected materials, from recycled cardboard to hand-fired clay.

How It Is Made

The process is slow and physical. Earth from around Oaxaca is mixed with water into a slip, poured into handmade plaster molds, and fired in a wood-burning kiln that is stoked continuously for nine hours. There is no glaze. Instead, each piece is hand-polished with river stones, which gives the surface its smooth, organic feel.

The Charcoal Clay finish takes one more step. The kiln is sealed with mud so the clay absorbs smoke, then the piece is fired again, which darkens it to a rich charcoal. Because the finish comes from fire, smoke and hand polishing, no two pendants are identical, and that variation is part of the appeal.

Why You'll Love It

Barro adds texture and warmth to rooms that lean sleek. The matte, stone-polished clay softens hard lines in a modern kitchen, while the glass shade keeps the light gentle and flattering. It pairs naturally with wood, linen, plaster and stone, and it holds its own as a single statement or in a staggered group over a long island.

It is also built to be lived with. Ceramic and glass do not fade or peel, and the fixture needs only a light dusting with a dry duster or compressed air. It is an honest, long-lasting piece rather than a trend.

Made for Real Life

Hang one above a dining table, a pair over a kitchen island, a single piece beside the bed, or a row along a restaurant bar. The standard 6.5 ft (2 m) black cord gives you room to set the height your ceiling and sight lines need, and a longer 16 ft (5 m) cord, custom cords and custom canopies are available on request. Barro takes a standard E26 bulb (not included), up to 15W LED, and 2700K warm white is recommended. It is UL certified, fire retardant and rated for dry locations only.

Product Details

Handmade for You

Barro is made to order by hand, so each piece is crafted after you choose it. That care is why every order is final sale, and it is why our team is glad to talk through finish, scale or placement with you before you order. You are not buying a stock item from a shelf; you are commissioning a small piece of Oaxacan craft.

Graypants lighting hangs in hotels, restaurants and workplaces around the world, and the studio's own project list includes Crowne Plaza Budapest, True Food Kitchen, Amazon and NBBJ. Barro brings that same studio standard into a home.

Not the Right Fit If

Barro is a made-to-order piece, so it is not for projects that need a fixture within days. It is for dry, indoor locations only, and it is not a glossy, perfectly uniform finish: the beauty is in the hand-polished variation.

Questions We Hear Most

What is the difference between Natural Clay and Charcoal Clay?

Natural Clay shows the warm, earthy color of the fired clay and is paired with clear glass. Charcoal Clay is fired a second time in a kiln sealed with mud, so it absorbs smoke and turns a deep charcoal, and it is paired with smoke glass.

Does the Barro pendant include a light bulb?

No. It takes a standard E26 bulb, up to 15W LED. A 2700K warm white bulb is recommended for a glow that suits the clay.

Why will mine look slightly different from the photos?

Each piece is wood-fired and polished by hand with river stones, so color and tone vary from one pendant to the next. That individuality is part of what makes Barro special.

How long will my Barro take to arrive?

Barro is made to order, with a lead time of about 4 weeks.

Can I use it outdoors or in a bathroom?

Barro is rated for dry locations only, so it belongs in indoor spaces such as dining rooms, kitchens, living rooms and bedrooms.

What interior styles does it suit?

Its organic, handmade character works with Scandinavian, rustic, minimalist and organic-modern interiors, and it adds warmth to contemporary kitchens and restaurant bars.

What should I know before installing it?

Graypants advises having a licensed electrician handle the ceiling wiring, turning the power off and testing it first, and checking for hidden wires before drilling. Keep the fixture out of direct sunlight, and leave at least 12 in (31 cm) of clearance between the lamp and the canopy.

Why We Love It

Barro is a piece where the process is the design. Fire, smoke, clay and the hand of an Oaxacan artisan do the work that a finish usually does, and the result feels both ancient and entirely current.

Shipping Info