Pueblo and Navajo pottery is still done in the traditional way, for the most part. A potter collects his/her clay from special places, and then begins a long process of sifting, cleaning and removing unusable pieces. Once the texture is right, they add the appropriate amount of water and begin making coils of clay from which to form the pot. After forming the pot, it is painstakingly scraped and sanded to create a pleasing finish. Then the potter paints on the slip (a thin layer of clay and water), lets it dry, and then polishes the pot with a polishing stone. Polishing is a slow process, but the rewards of a good polish can be a beautiful, shimmering pot. Painting and/or deep carving comes next. Traditional firing techniques must be done outdoors (some artists use commercial kilns), a tricky experience as sudden changes in temperature, gusts of wind and rain can all destroy the pots that are being fired. If the piece has light carving or sgraffito, this will be the last step (unless more painting in certain areas is added, in which case it must be lightly fired a second time).

We offer pottery by a number of top potters from many tribes.  Our pottery ranges from traditional to very contemporary. High quality polish, careful carving, even painting and good formation of shape are all important criteria in our selection. 

Mary Louise Eteeyan corn, feather and cloud polychrome jar
Very clean painted work.
6 1/4" high and 3 7/8" long
$240.

Michael Kanteena (Laguna) black on white quail effigy
Michael purposely distresses his pieces to give them a pre-historic look.
5" high and 6 3/8" long
$150.

Kevin Naranjo (Santa Clara) sgraffito deer, feather and deer track jar
Kevin does truly fine realistic sgraffito.
1 7/8" high and 2 1/2" diameter
$690.

Madeline Naranjo (Santa Clara) black carved seed pot with double-sun face designs
Note the nice matte and polished contrasting areas.
3" high and 4 1/8" wide
$375.

Elston and Dena Yepa (Jemez) sgraffito feather seed pot
The Yepa's get such interesting natural colors to their pottery.
3 3/8" high and 3 1/4" diameter
$135.