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 L. Eteeyan (Jemez) polychrome wedding vase
A lovely wedding gift.
6 3/4" high and 3 1/2" diameter
$195.

Snowflake Flower (Cochiti) drummer and dancer set
Snowflake Flower was one of the first storyteller makers, but creates a wide range of figurative pottery pieces.
Drummer is 6 1/8" high and 4 1/2" wide, male dancer is 4" high and 3" wide, female dancer is 3 3/4" high and 2 3/4" wide
$300. for the set.

B J Fragua (Jemez) polychrome plate
The designs on this lovely plate include birds, clouds, corn and the sun. B J's family helped revive Jemez pottery.
1/2" high and 4 1/4" diameter
$195.

Helen Gutierrez (San Ildefonso, 1935-1993) black on black jar
The feather design is a San Ildefonso classic.
5 3/4" high and 5 3/4" diameter
$1100.

Maria Martinez (San Ildefonso, 1887-1980) and Popovi Da (San Ildefonso, 1923-1971) buff on red jar
One of the most famous Pueblo potters ever, red Maria pieces are very hard to come by, but especially pieces created with her son Popovi Da.
3 1/2" high and 4 3/8" diameter
$4900.

Madeline Naranjo (Santa Clara) carved black parrot bowl
Madeline's use of matte and polished finishes gives her pottery a distinctive look.
2 7/8" high and 3 7/8" diameter
$390.

Judy Suina (Jemez) storyteller
Nice to see traditional mineral paints as opposed to many of the acrylic painted storytellers.
3 1/4" high and 3 1/4" long
$90.

White Swan (Hopi) polychrome bird design jar with hand prints
Part of the famous Navasie family of Hopi potters, White Swan creates delicate and beautiful pieces.
4 3/4" high and 5 1/4" diameter
$600.