Traditional Navajo pottery has changed much over the centuries. At one time they made not only very large storage jars, but also painted pottery. Then, sometime in the 1800s, the hataathli or Medicine Men decreed that painted pottery was off limits – too dangerous to make. Plainware then dominated. Most were coated with pinyon pitch immediately after firing to make them waterproof. Cooking pots, drums and serving bowls were made. It was beginning to disappear by the late 1940s, with only one Navajo family making pottery.
It was revived in the 1950s largely to the efforts of Navajo potter Rose Williams and Bill Beaver, a trader fluent in Navajo, who liked the pottery and worked closely with the potters. On his first venture to sell Navajo pottery to shops he was having no luck until he came into my father's shop: dad bought every single piece he had.
All are in Tucson, unless otherwise noted. There are also some figurative pieces in the Treasure Chest Gallery
Two views of a beautiful seed jar by Susie Williams Crank. 4 inches by 5 inches. SOLD. Her sister Alice Cling made the small vase on the right. 5”h X 4”w $180.
A beautiful tall vase by Susie Williams Crank. This one is 7.5 inches tall and 5.5 inches wide. $255. Also by Susie Williams Crank, this vessel measures 4 inches high and 5 inches across. $150. The one with the square mouth is 5 inches tall and 4.5 inches across. $255. The stately vessel with the notched opening was made by Alice Cling and stands 8.5 inches tall and is SOLD.
Beautiful, hand-built, fired and sgraffito work miniature seed jars by Wallace Nez. Included are a butterfly SOLD, a horse, $500; a bluejay $400; eagle $400.
Four views of a jar by Ken and Irene Williams. 10.5 inches tall. $300.
Two vases, each embellished with horned lizard motifs. The one at left is by Elizabath Manygoats and standing 8 inches tall and $165. Te one at right was made by her mother, Betty Manygoats, It was Betty who originated this style 9 inches tall and $300.
Called ‘cheii’ in Navajo (meaning ‘grandfather’) horned lizards are associated with Navajo traditional healers, known as Hatahli.
