Whether formed into a decorative vase, platter, bowl, sculpture or an array of other shapes, clay serves as an important and essential part of Native American culture. Combining both earth and heritage, artists often create vessels with clay native to their land. Pottery not only serves functional purposes, but it’s crucial for expression, directly tying Native and Indigenous people to identity. Pottery appearing in this section, all of it available for purchase, are fine examples that carry forth tradition through style, design, shape and decoration. Others offer a contemporary approach that include voices from the past, while making room for the future.
Winfield Trading
Lorenda and Deldrick Cellicion are a Zuni couple who make amazing pottery together. Their pieces are full of traditional Zuni designs, including geometric patterns and animals, all inspired by their culture. They use natural clay and shape everything by hand, paying close attention to every little detail. Their pottery has a really special feel to it, combining tradition with their own artistic style. Many collectors admire their work, and their pieces have become well-known in Native American art circles.
1830 State Highway 602, Gallup, NM 87301, (505) 778-5544
www.winfieldtradingco.com
Chase Kahwinhut Earles
Chase Kahwinhut Earles’ pottery and sculpture are inspired by his Caddo ancestor’s traditional, ancient pottery. His piece here, titled Kah-how-din’ooh-nah: Lightning and Hail, made of hand-dug clay, measures 8 inches tall by 5 inches in diameter. “My mission is to help revive the prolific ceramic tradition of the Caddos that was almost lost to time, so that more people can see it, and to educate people about Native American art,” he shares. “I use our iconic Caddo designs and shapes to carry on that tradition, but also to create new conceptual work and contemporary statements that evolve our tribe’s cultural identity.”
www.caddopottery.com /CaddoPottery @Kahwinhut
Territorial Indian Arts
Territorial Indian Arts presents the finest of the early Native American artists’ works in clay. Pictured here, is a Nampeyo Hopi pottery canteen, circa 1915, with old stickers from Oraibi Pueblo. This particular piece will be featured at the Old West Show & Auction from June 21 and 22, held in Santa Fe, New Mexico.
7100 E. Main Street, #3, Scottsdale, AZ 85251 (480) 945-5432, www.territorialindianarts.com
Andrea Fisher Fine Pottery
This exquisitely hand-painted plate by Rebecca Lucario is the contemporary extension of the traditional designs of Acoma Pueblo. Lucario shares, “My grandmother, when I was 8, let me play with the mud they used to plaster their adobe house. She never let us play with her clay because clay for making pottery is very sacred.” The plate measures 9 inches in diameter, is made of hand-dug clay, with black- on-white, hand-painted natural pigment.
100 West San Francisco Street, Santa Fe, NM 87501 (505) 986-1234, www.andreafisherpottery.com
Sandbar Trading
This stunning micaceous prayer jar, created by Angie Yazzie of Taos Pueblo, New Mexico, is traditionally fired. It features rich and beautiful fire clouds, with dramatically flaring kiva steps on the rim. This jar measures a large 14 by 12 inches, and its unbelievably thinned wall is as light as a feather. Yazzie has been a frequent award winner, including the 2017 best of pottery winner at the prestigious Santa Fe Indian Market.
839 Paseo de Peralta, Suite K, Santa Fe, New Mexico 87501, (316) 655-7477 rick@sandbartrading.com, www.sandbartrading.com
Blue Rain Gallery
Jody Naranjo’s pottery is storytelling in clay. Her work carries the heartbeat of her pueblo heritage while radiating a whimsical, contemporary charm that’s entirely her own. Each piece is alive with character—swirls, figures and symbols that feel both intimate and universal. What makes Naranjo’s pottery so special is how it bridges the past and the present with humor, grace and heart.
544 S. Guadalupe Street, Santa Fe, NM 87122, (505) 954-9902
www.blueraingallery.com
Mark Sublette Medicine Man Gallery
This piece is by Hopi/Tewa potter Jacob Koopee Jr. (1970-2011). Koopee won the best of show award at the 2005 Heard Museum Guild Indian Fair & Market and again at SWAIA Santa Fe Indian Market later that year. Koopee tragically passed at 41 years old, but the masterful construction of his pots, and the unique imagery and precise graphic sensibilities make each and every vessel an important piece of art, regardless of size.
6872 E. Sunrise Drive, #130, Tucson, AZ 85750
(520) 722-7798, www.medicinemangallery.com
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