Santa Clara Seed Pot

Height: 2 in.
Diameter: 4 in.

This type of pottery starts out as red earth clay. The artist generally rolls the clay into long, thin rolls, then begins to build the piece by layering these rolls one on top of the other. This hand coiled method included smoothing the coils by hand to the pottery's final shape. Then the artist begins the arduous task of polishing the piece. This is done by rubbing a smooth stone over the piece until the red clay shines. Finally the piece is fired in a "oxygen reduction" firing process. During the firing the artist smother the fire with horse manure. The manure traps a thick carbon rich smoke all around the piece. The carbon contained in the smoke fuses itself to the clay, turning if black. This black color can never be washed off or removed. Only three out of five pieces make it through this process which is what makes these pieces highly collectible.

Artist: David Baca
Tribe: Santa Clara Pueblo