Indian pottery, like that made by Tarahumara and Tigua Indians, is hand made using rough white, orange and brown clay found in the earth. The natural clay is not only utilitarian in design but is also what gives the pottery that popular rustic charm. The knowledge of pottery making has been taught to each generation and is still made the same way as it has been for hundreds of years. If you are like me and enjoy Indian pottery, you will definitely like holding a piece of this unique art in your hands, and consider the hard work that goes into crafting such unique pottery.
If you are interested in collecting Indian pottery, you will come across many types and might even discover a few that you never knew existed. From primitive style pieces of dark earth-tone pottery to exquisitely painted art pieces, painted by the Tigua Indians, you will definitely not have trouble deciding on something you like. The variety of pottery is thrilling for collectors because there is so much to choose from. The most exciting part of purchasing genuine Native Indian pottery is the fact that it has always played a part in Native lifestyle. In recent years, pottery collecting has seen a renewed interest because of the popularity of traditional Mata Ortiz pottery found in the Casas Grandes region of Chihuahua, in the northern part of Mexico.
Many pieces of Indian pottery can be used not only as collection pieces but also for traditional cooking purposes as well. Many of the Tarahumara pots or ollas as they are called, are used to prepare beans, corn and other traditional Native American dishes. The ollas are designed simply for use and come in different sizes and shapes that define how the pot will be used. No matter which type of pottery you buy, whether to be used for cooking or just decorative purposes, you will no doubt appreciate all the work that goes into making Indian pottery.
You will find the creation and decoration of these beautiful pots very interesting. Hand-made by the potter, the traditional coil and pinch method is used instead of the pottery wheel. The potter starts his project by first finding the clay and then grinding it to a fine powder using a stone metate. Water is then mixed with the clay powder and brought to the desired consistency. A piece is cut for the foundation of the pot and then clay coils are added to build up the sides. The tools the Tarahumaras use for cleaning and smoothing the pot usually consist of pieces of gourd, stone or wood. They then fire the pot in a shallow hole after it has had time to dry in the open air. It is then painted with various items like a feather, the fingers or a cloth-wrapped stick and natural paints like red ochre, iron oxide or hematite.
Owning American Indian pottery, whether a primitive style Tarahumara olla, a brilliantly painted piece by the Tigua Indian Tribe, or refined artwork like Mata Ortiz, is definitely a great way to bring Native American authenticity to your home. You can buy beautiful Indian pottery online, and in pottery shops and many stores that sell southwestern decorating accessories. If you would like to be part of the age-old art form of Indian pottery and add American Indian style to your home, try decorating with authentic pieces of hand-crafted Indian pottery.
Filed under: Indian pottery | Tagged: american indian, home decor, Indian pottery, interior design, native american, native indian, pottery, rustic, southwestern
