Southwestern Pottery

Southwest American Indian pottery is the legacy of a tradition over one thousand years old. To be considered a "traditional" piece of pottery the potter must dig the clay out of the ground and construct the pot entirely by hand without the use of a potter's wheel. Designs are then painted on to the surface of a dried piece before it is fired. Designs can also be applied with a "slip", a thin mixture of water and clay. Different clays, ground minerals, or plant materials are used to make slips of different colors. Many traditional potters do not use electric kilns for firing their work, instead using an outdoor pit fueled by wood and dung. Pottery with a shiny finish has been polished by rubbing the surface of the piece with smooth stones. Our focus is on fine quality, southwest pottery. Hopi potters: Fannie Nampeyo, Fawn, Dextra Quotskuyva, Thomas Polacca (1970's). San Ildefonso potters: Carmelita Dunlap, Carlos Dunlap, Blue Corn. Acoma potters: R. Concho, Dorothy Torivio, Lucy Lewis.... and many others. Please look at the variety of our fine southwest pottery and feel free to ask any questions you may have. We guaranty the authenticity of every item in our inventory.