Pueblo Pottery- A Tradition of the People
Since before the beginnings of recorded history, Native tribes the world over have been making pottery both for functional and ceremonial/decorative use. Food storage and preparation pots are found in abandoned dwellings. Decorated shards are often found buried with Native remains, perhaps having been used to feed the dead on their journey or as an offering to the spirit world.
This page is dedicated to the pottery traditions and renowned potters of the southwestern United States, and more specifically to the 19 recognized Pueblos of New Mexico.
Moreover, it is dedicated to the period known as "Modern" Pueblo Pottery, defined as late 19th to mid-20th Century works.
The photo shown here is a Santo Domingo Pot from the early modern period.
This page is dedicated to the pottery traditions and renowned potters of the southwestern United States, and more specifically to the 19 recognized Pueblos of New Mexico.
Moreover, it is dedicated to the period known as "Modern" Pueblo Pottery, defined as late 19th to mid-20th Century works.
The photo shown here is a Santo Domingo Pot from the early modern period.
The Basics of Southwestern/Pueblo Pottery
From Southwestern Pottery; Anasazi to Zuni, Allan Hayes & John Blom, Northland Publishing, 1996; (ISBN 0-87358-656-5).
Southwestern cultures
*Ancestral Pueblo Cultures: including Anasazi, Mimbres Valley, Jornada Mogollon, Hohokam, Casas Grandes, Fremont.
*Historic Pueblo cultures: including Santa Clara Pueblo, Taos Pueblo, Hopi, San Ildefonso Pueblo, Acoma Pueblo and the Zuni. Noted individuals involved in Pueblo pottery include Nampeyo of the Hopi, and Maria and Julian Martinez of San Ildefonso Pueblo. In the early 1900s Maria Martinez and her husband Julian rediscovered how to make the traditional Black-on Black pottery for which San Ildefonso Pueblo would soon become famous.
*Other historic cultures including the Apache and the Navajo (who refer to themselves as the Diné).
Dating Southwestern pottery:
Pottery Style Time Period
Basketmaker II 50 BC - AD 450
Basketmaker III AD 450 - 700
Pueblo I 700 - 900
Pueblo II 900 - 1100
Pueblo III 1100 - 1300
Pueblo IV 1300 - 1600
Historic 1600 - 1880
Modern 1880 - 1950
Contemporary 1950 - present
*Ancestral Pueblo Cultures: including Anasazi, Mimbres Valley, Jornada Mogollon, Hohokam, Casas Grandes, Fremont.
*Historic Pueblo cultures: including Santa Clara Pueblo, Taos Pueblo, Hopi, San Ildefonso Pueblo, Acoma Pueblo and the Zuni. Noted individuals involved in Pueblo pottery include Nampeyo of the Hopi, and Maria and Julian Martinez of San Ildefonso Pueblo. In the early 1900s Maria Martinez and her husband Julian rediscovered how to make the traditional Black-on Black pottery for which San Ildefonso Pueblo would soon become famous.
*Other historic cultures including the Apache and the Navajo (who refer to themselves as the Diné).
Dating Southwestern pottery:
Pottery Style Time Period
Basketmaker II 50 BC - AD 450
Basketmaker III AD 450 - 700
Pueblo I 700 - 900
Pueblo II 900 - 1100
Pueblo III 1100 - 1300
Pueblo IV 1300 - 1600
Historic 1600 - 1880
Modern 1880 - 1950
Contemporary 1950 - present
Maria Martinez of San Ildefonso Pueblo
Perhaps the best-known Pueblo potter of the modern period is Maria Martinez (1887-1980).
Maria belonged to the San Ildefonso Pueblo and became popularized starting in 1908 when an archaeology and anthropology professor from Santa Fe, NM began seeking a potter to reproduce an ancient style of blackware pottery.
He was guided to Maria's work by locals of the Tewa community and initiated a partnership which resulted in a revival of ancient traditions.
Maria belonged to the San Ildefonso Pueblo and became popularized starting in 1908 when an archaeology and anthropology professor from Santa Fe, NM began seeking a potter to reproduce an ancient style of blackware pottery.
He was guided to Maria's work by locals of the Tewa community and initiated a partnership which resulted in a revival of ancient traditions.
Books about Maria Martinez, Potter Extraordinaire
Traditional Pot Buiding Methods
the bare basics
For hundreds of years, these same methods have been employed by Native craftspeople to produce a ware that is both beautiful and durable.
Coiling: the potter takes a section of clay and rolls it into long snake-like coils which are cut to the desired length and attached in a circular manner one above the other to build the pot's walls. The potter smooths the places where the coils join, both inside the pot and out, for stability and appearance.
Slab Building: Rolling the clay into thick flat slabs, which are then joined together with slip.
Pinching: Taking a ball of prepared clay and pinching it into shape beginning by making an indentation with the thumb and working out from the center.
Coiling: the potter takes a section of clay and rolls it into long snake-like coils which are cut to the desired length and attached in a circular manner one above the other to build the pot's walls. The potter smooths the places where the coils join, both inside the pot and out, for stability and appearance.
Slab Building: Rolling the clay into thick flat slabs, which are then joined together with slip.
Pinching: Taking a ball of prepared clay and pinching it into shape beginning by making an indentation with the thumb and working out from the center.
Introductory Readings on Puebloan Pottery
These titles will introduce you to the subject as well as to the works of some well-known Pueblo potters.
Books featuring Nampeyo and Hopi Potters
Pottery Poll
As shown here, there are many different styles of Pueblo pottery. Do you prefer one type over another? Share your tastes!
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Auctions of Pueblo Pottery
A great chance to get an amazing deal on eBay auctions. Often times Native potters offer their work here! Check the description and seller info before you buy to make sure it is an authentic Native made piece! There are many replicas and "imposters" out there too!
Available Hopi Pieces
Pieces by Acoma Artisans
Acoma pots are famous for their fine lines and intricate designs.
Cochiti Examples
Jemez Pueblo
San Ildefonso Artwork
Pots from Laguna
Zia
Zuni...A Pueblo Apart
Art Featuring Pueblo Pottery
Other Pages on Native Arts
For those who would like to explore Southwestern Native arts further, here are some lenses which might be of interest:
Visitor Log
Tell me your opinion of the product, of the lens, or simply leave your mark.
I welcome comments and suggestions.
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resabi Oct 27, 2010 @ 9:53 am | delete
- This is a great lens. I love Santa Clara and San Idelfonso pots -- I have a small collection of the black pots and cherish each one. Blessed by a Squid Angel.
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Jewelsofawe Oct 5, 2008 @ 1:53 pm | delete
- Saw you updated this lens on twitter, so I thought I would come by and check it out. I love pottery. This is a cool lens!
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sellingnicestuff
Jul 30, 2008 @ 9:06 am | delete
- Thank you for this lens. My late mother born 1911 knew Maria Martinez very well. Her work is global and coveted!
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by TankDog
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