Fuerteventura Archaeological Museum Receives Unique Indigenous Ceramic Piece Donated by Juan Martín Guerra

The ceremony highlights the recovery of Majo heritage and the importance of citizen collaboration in safeguarding island history

The Archaeological Museum of Fuerteventura (MAF) hosted today the official presentation of an exceptionally valuable ceramic artifact belonging to the culture of the Majo people. The piece was donated to the museum by private collector Juan Martín Guerra. The event, which formalises the return of this singular archaeological treasure to the island, was attended by the donor, representatives of the island’s governing body, and the museum’s technical team.

The ceramic work now becomes part of the museum’s permanent collection. It is a crucial material testimony for understanding the indigenous Majorero culture, unique both in its typology and its extraordinary decorative motifs. These features provide key information on the material expressions and traditions of the Majo people. Following its reception, museum experts will undertake a thorough cataloguing and study to deepen knowledge of its historical context.

“This piece has enormous value for our island, because it is not just a ceramic object but a fundamental part of our identity and the culture of the Majo people,” said Lola García, President of the Cabildo.
“His individual gesture becomes a collective benefit today.”

García added that donating such objects means “valuing and respecting the essence of a people, understanding that heritage should not remain private but belong to a museum where it can be protected, studied and made accessible to all citizens.”

During the ceremony, Councillor Rayco De León emphasized that the acquisition aligns with one of the museum’s strategic lines: to locate and recover Fuerteventura’s cultural heritage that is scattered across other collections or museums. He highlighted citizen collaboration as an indispensable tool for heritage protection, allowing privately owned items to return to the public sphere for enjoyment and study.

According to the donor, Juan Martín Guerra, the moment he laid eyes on the ceramic he recognised its exceptional nature, prompting a long search that culminated in its purchase in 1996. He explained that the piece “belongs to Fuerteventura, so it is being donated to the Archaeological Museum so it can return to its place of origin, be safeguarded, and enjoyed by the entire community.” The ceremony also featured Silverio López, a renowned ceramic expert and master potter.

This donation adds to ongoing institutional efforts to reunite Majo heritage, much of which has historically ended up in collections outside the island, thereby strengthening the MAF’s role as the principal custodian of Fuerteventura’s historical memory.

The Cabildo of Fuerteventura invites the public to visit the museum and experience firsthand the richness of the island’s indigenous culture, reaffirming that heritage protection is a shared responsibility between institutions and the island’s inhabitants. With this new addition, the Archaeological Museum of Fuerteventura continues to evolve as a living space dedicated not only to preserving material remains but also to the continual reconstruction of the island’s historical narrative.

History and Provenance of the Piece

• The magnificent indigenous vase has a documented history spanning more than half a century, recorded by its donor.
• Originally displayed at the famous Bazar Estoril in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria in 1971, it formed part of the private collection of Mr. Chandan Bulchand, the Indian Consul in Las Palmas.
• Its authenticity was confirmed at the time by historian and archaeologist Julio Moisés (Official Restorer of the National Heritage and adviser to the Cabildo of Gran Canaria), who described it as a unique piece in its genre.

After decades under the care of the Bulchand family, the ceramic was acquired in February 1996 by Juan Martín Guerra, who has preserved its integrity to the present day. The vessel’s rim bears small historic notches that, according to experts, were used for the analytical tests that verified its origin in the ancient Maxorata culture.

With this donation, the ceramic completes a 55‑year journey to be reintegrated into Fuerteventura’s heritage.