Article Highlight: “Sacred Art: Utility and Artistry in Puebloan Pottery”
Resilience of the Indigenous People
Abigail Leali recently published an article about the “Utility and Artistry in Pueblo Pottery” and we instantly knew we wanted to highlight it on our blog (click here for the full article). It is a profound statement about the resilience of the Indigenous people and the incredible pottery they create to this day. It really puts into perspective the expression and cultural identity in the pottery of the American Southwest.
We will highlight a few parts of her piece and show examples from our collection so you can see this “Sacred Art” from the ancestral peoples.
Overcoming a Difficult Environment
Abigail Leali, the insightful author of this article, starts out by reminding us of the harsh environment the Indigenous people have lived in for millennia. Steeped in traditions, even today, all the clay is derived by hand from their Pueblos. This can be quite the feat considering the desertlike conditions, with temperatures sometimes in the low hundreds, especially in the Arizona Pueblos. Leali says, “Add to the scorching sun a host of venomous insects, reptiles, and plants, along with coyotes, mountain lions, and the occasional wolf or jaguar – not to mention a distinct lack of accessible water – and you have a recipe for a remarkably difficult environment in which to survive, let alone build a culture.”
Adapting and Honoring
This is reminder of the strength and adaptability of the Indigenous peoples. The harsh circumstances never hindered them from maintaining strong family structures, passing along their tribal traditions, honoring their ancestors, and creating decorative and functional pottery, jewelry, baskets, kachinas, weavings and storytellers. They never fail to keep their cultures united despite the many struggles they have faced, and still do today.
As beautiful as their pottery is, at one time it was made primarily for utilitarian purposes. Only recently has it seen a resurgence as art in the mainstream. When you look at the meticulous detail put into every piece, it’s easy to see why it has become such a sought-after artform.
History of Technique
It was around 1050-1300 AD that techniques for creating these clay pots were refined and used regularly by the Pueblo People. Before then, the nomadic tribes used woven baskets. As with most everything in the Native cultures, all the elements for the pottery are sourced from earth, and mostly from their own Pueblos. “Every element of the process, from the clay and slip to the pigments to the large outdoor fire pits used as kilns, is sourced from the earth,” Leali states.
Honoring the Elements
The connection with the planet is clear in the pottery’s design. Even though the weather and terrain could sometimes be unforgiving, the Natives always honored the elements. “The symbols, which vary from tribe to tribe, observe the sky, rain, birds, and many other elements of nature. Pottery decorated with such images, including effigies of animals, was also used as part of religious rituals, in which Puebloans would descend into underground kivas to revere their ancestors, kachinas, whose likenesses they would carry as dolls carved from cottonwood root.” (Abigail Leali 2024)
Native American Art Today
San Ildefonso Vintage Jar by Maria and Julian Martinez
Today, pottery is a way for Puebloans to preserve their history and culture in the modern world as art. One of the most famous of these artists is Maria Martinez and her husband, Julian. They perfected the black-on-black (glossy/matte) pottery that creates a very distinctive patterned effect.
Leali summed it up beautifully in her article, “They have created a society where their art, like their agriculture, is as functional as it is beautiful. Amid a scarcity of resources, they have found a way to multiply beauty through simplicity – just like the desert they call home.”
We too feel the history, the sacrifice, the honor, the traditions, the culture, and the connection to Mother Earth in every single piece. To hold a single pot in your hand is to realize the artistry in these handmade creations. It can truly change your perspective. It’s not only art, but you feel as if you are holding a piece of history, a moment in time, and a gift from the earth and the wonderful peoples of the Indigenous cultures.
Featured Artwork from the Acoma Pueblo
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Acoma Antique Bowl
$885 -
Acoma Antique Jar
$280 -
Acoma Antique Jar (Unsigned)
$1,450 -
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