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This comprehensive
list of tips on Collecting Native American Arts & Crafts was prepared by the
Department of Interior. It is an excellent resource, and we share it with
you here.
Tips on Collecting Native American Arts & Crafts
American Indian art, in all forms, has never been more alive and ever
changing and continues to be one of the most gratifying and exciting to collect.
American Indian art combines age old tradition, innovation and talent, and
results in a variety of art forms for all levels of collecting -- whether you
are beginning with a first-time purchase or have been collecting for a number of
years. And at all levels of collecting, you are helping to support the
continuation of the expression and livelihood of American Indian artists, while
at the same time adding an object of beauty to your life!
 These
art forms,
many with centuries old influences, incorporate a natural spirit with
timeless appeal. Whether it is basketry, in which artists are using the
techniques and materials their ancestors did thousands of years ago, or
silversmithing, which has evolved into classic as well as contemporary wearable
art, there is always a place for authentic, handmade arts and crafts.
The interest in and appreciation of American
Indian arts and crafts has unfortunately resulted in misrepresentations and
imports in the market. Becoming an educated buyer and purchasing authentic arts
and crafts will help to preserve the integrity and commitment of today's Native
American artists. The popularity of American Indian arts and crafts has also
brought merchandise into the market that is legitimately represented as
"American Indian inspired" or influenced. This should not be confused
with authentic American Indian arts and crafts. This guide should be a helpful
aid in either beginning or continuing to collect with confidence that you know
what you are purchasing. And, becoming an educated buyer is enjoyable, rewarding
and exciting!
Tips on Collecting Native American Arts & Crafts
1) Become Educated:
a)
Read books on craft areas you are interested in. Learning more about American
Indian arts and crafts is often one of the most enjoyable parts of collecting
and results in a strong foundation from which you can begin to buy with more
confidence. You may also find as you learn more, your areas of interest may
change, with each discovery leading you to another! You may not feel the
learning process, but it will become evident when you realize you have the
knowledge and confidence when making your purchase.
b)
Ask Questions! Talk to people you are purchasing from/considering purchasing
from. Established and knowledgeable dealers and artists are a great source of
information and enjoy sharing it. They can direct you to publications and can
point out what to look for when purchasing. Many dealers, artists and museums
also offer rewarding opportunities through exhibits, presentations and
demonstrations -- take advantage of these as you see them made available.
c)
Explore trade magazines, publications, and organizations. The Indian Arts and
Crafts Association has informational brochures on many craft areas that give a
brief history and explanation of the craft, the origins and traditions and tips
on what to look for when buying. Many of its members can provide these to you as
well. Currently available are brochures on: Basketry, Beadwork, Eskimo Art of
Alaska, Fetishes, Heishi, Jewelry, Kachinas, Navajo Weaving, Pueblo Pottery, and
Sandpaintings. For your free brochure on the craft area(s) of interest, check
with your local dealer or send the request with a self-addressed stamped
envelope to IACA, 122 La Veta NE, Albuquerque, NM, 87108.
2) Become Educated:
a)
Purchase from established dealers and IACA members. Reputable businesses will
represent their merchandise accurately and can assure you of your purchase.
b) Ask for a certificate of authenticity or a written record on a business card,
letterhead or receipt for your purchase. The information should include the item
description, materials used tribal affiliation of the artist and artist name,
when possible.
c) Avoid stores with "perpetual" sales or unethical discounting
offers. Prices are often inflated and then a flat discount is offered that
results in paying close to or sometimes more than a fair retail price.
d) If a deal seems too good to be true, beware!
e) Ask questions -- a knowledgeable and helpful staff is a good sign of a
reputable business. They can help explain materials and techniques used and
guide you on what to look for. When an answer is not known, they have numerous
resources and will make the effort to find out. One of the most exciting things
about collecting is that the learning process continues for everyone -- for both
the novice and the aficionados, as well as the artists and dealers in the
business.
3) Keep Records
It
is extremely helpful (and very interesting over time!) to keep your receipts and
certificates together for the purchases you make. This can be done by simply
clipping the receipts and certificates together and placing them in a box or
envelope. Many collectors may include a photo and notes or additional
information on the artist. Some may even have a journal or album for details,
and include updated appraisals for their collection. Having the item
description, where and when it was purchased and the purchase price is most
important and each person can use the method they are comfortable with. Keeping
records:
a) is a good record of history
b) is helpful if there is a problem or concern with an item, its condition or
care
c) helps in time of "the failing memory"!
d) is good information for family members who may some day acquire the item(s)
e) is good for insurance purposes
f) you never know when the emerging artist you purchased a piece by becomes the
next highly collectable, award-winning artist!
4) If you feel an item has been
misrepresented, allow the person or shop it was purchased from the opportunity
to clarify the information -- this can clear any misunderstandings.
5) Know the Law that Protects You and
American Indian Artists. The Indian Arts and Crafts Act of 1990, PL 101-644, is
a truth in advertising law in that it mandates honest representation of American
Indian arts and crafts and sets forth the definitions of such. For a copy of the
law, write or call the Indian Arts and Crafts Board, Department of the
Interior,MS-4004-MIB, 1849 C Street, NW, Washington, DC 20240, (202) 208-3773.
Written complaints concerning misrepresentation of Indian arts and crafts can be
addressed to them also.
COMMON QUESTIONS
1.
What are the sources for American Indian Art? Isn't it better to purchase
directly from the artist?
Answer:
There are different ways of acquiring American Indian arts and crafts -- buying
from the artist, shops/galleries and from special shows/ceremonials. Everyone
will collect differently -- some only with dealers and some who may add pieces
purchased directly from artists. The "best" way overall to collect, is
to purchase what you like, what fits your budget and to be assured of what you
are purchasing. Many artists establish retail prices for their work, and offer
dealers a re-sale discount, so the prices you would pay are often the same.
While there is a small artist minority who can make their living by selling
their work directly, the success of the majority of artists depends on strong
relationships with representatives and galleries who market and promote their
work.
2.
Where do Indian artists get ie. lapis? That's not traditional is it?
Answer:
Today artists are using many materials that may or may not be indigenous to
their area. Historically, many materials such as shells were traded among
tribes. With the arrival of Europeans, trade for other materials such as beads,
silver, and gold began. All art evolves, and the term "traditional"
may have different interpretations at different periods in history. From the
beginning of time, all peoples have borrowed from each other and over time,
traditions have evolved. Today many artists seek out a variety of materials to
achieve their expression of art, most often made available by gem/supply stores
or through traders who assist in being a source for artists. The evolution of
the arts is one of the exciting aspects of buying American Indian arts and
crafts.
3.
Which is the best piece of i.e., pottery I should buy? Which i.e., kachina is my
best investment?
Answer:
When you are buying American Indian arts and crafts you are buying a piece of
art -- your personal taste and budget will guide you to the right choice. We
recommend buying first and foremost because you like a piece. There is good
quality work being done today by many artists, in different styles and price
ranges. Decide on the style of work you like -- subtle detail or very fine
detail; traditional, contemporary or somewhere in between. Some people may
collect work by certain artists or artist families, some may collect themes or
want particular tribal areas, some may want "name" artists and others
enjoy collecting emerging artists works -- and some may collect one or two
pieces while still others collect a bit of everything! Collecting and buying
Indian arts and crafts is very personal and is exciting for many different
reasons. For those who choose to invest in the grace and beauty of an object of
art, collecting authentic American Indian arts and crafts will continue to be a
rewarding experience.
ALASKAN NATIVE ART
A variety of highly refined crafts express the unique cultural traditions of
Native Alaskan peoples. Commonly known as Eskimo, the Yupik and Inupiat people
of Northern Alaska have been subsistence hunters relying on local species for
thousands of years. These local animals provide the materials from which are
fashioned exceptional works of art. The tusks of the Pacific walrus provide
ivory, which carvers transform into amazingly realistic images of animals.
Walrus, seal, polar bears and arctic whales are favorite subjects, but we also
see birds, otters, woolly mammoth, wolf, moose and many others. Hunters waiting
at seal breathing holes and whaling from kayaks are also depicted in ivory. Old
pieces of whalebone, collected from shorelines, also are used by carvers, often
for larger scale pieces. More recently soapstone has become popular with several
carvers as well as with collectors. Other items include hoop masks, dolls, and
the highly sought after baleen basketry. Woven from the baleen plates of the
toothless species of whales, these baskets are produced by a very small number
of artists, and are a truly unique form of artistic expression.
Price ranges on items from Alaska are from about $30 into $1000’s, with
something to fit everyone’s budget.
BASKETRY
One of the oldest creative endeavors still practiced today is the art of
weaving baskets. Although the utilitarian aspects of basketry for everyday use
have been almost entirely supplanted by modern conveniences, the ceremonial use
of baskets persists in many communities. The need for ceremonial items and the
recognition of basketry as an art form have helped this exquisite form of
creative art to survive. American Indian basketry relies on local materials that
are gathered by the basket maker and techniques that have remained unchanged
from prehistory to the present day. Many southwestern baskets are made with
yucca leaves and various grasses, while baskets from other parts of the country
are woven from different woods which have been split into very thin strips. At
the Indian Craft Shop we carry basketry from several different southwestern
groups including the Tohono OíOdham (or Papago), Apache, Navajo, and Hopi. From
basket makers in other parts of the country we have Cherokee (both Eastern and
Western), Ojibwa, Chippewa, Mohawk, Passamoquaddy, and Seminole work. Trays,
jars, plaques, sewing baskets, fruit baskets, miniatures, and burden baskets are
among the basketry forms that we regularly have in stock.
BEADWORK
The first thing that comes to mind for many people
when they think of American Indian crafts is beadwork. Although glass beads were
not available until they were imported by Europeans as a trade item they quickly
became a traditional form of embellishment for a variety of everyday items and
ceremonial objects. There are distinctive types of beadwork from different
regions of the country, and subtle differences of style from different tribes
within each region. Beads can be applied to fabric or hide in different ways,
most of which are variations of sewing techniques. A common form is called the
lazy stitch, (although there is nothing lazy about doing it!), in which the
beads are sewn in even rows with different color combinations used to create
geometric designs. Beads can also be contour stitched in which the rows of beads
are sewed in curvilinear patterns with varying numbers of beads used to fill
spaces and create curved designs such as flowers. Beads can also be stitched
together into tubular strips which are used finish the edges of designs and to
cover the handles of rattles or the stems of pipes. Unique to the Northeastern
United States is raised beadwork, a technique which creates dimensional designs
which rise up from the surface of the fabric.
At the Indian Craft Shop most beaded items are from the Northern and Southern
Plains, with work as well as from other areas including the Northeast, Alaska,
and the Southwest. Prices range from under $20 to over $1000. Please contact the
shop for our current selection or special requests. For further reading on
beadwork, see the Publications section for available books!
Quill Work
Prior to the introduction of glass beads as an European trade item, tribes in
many parts of the country used porcupine quills to decorate clothing and
everyday items. Made soft by soaking, the individual quills are then trimmed and
flattened, and sewn or plaited in a variety of ways to create smooth even rows.
A variety of colors obtained from dyes allowed a wide range of designs to be
produced. As small glass beads became a common item they quickly supplanted the
use of quills in most areas. With no preparation required, beads were a much
more efficient way to provide decoration. Although greatly diminished, quillwork
did not vanish completely, and there are many artists today reviving this art
form. Mostly from tribes living on the Great Plains, there are many beautifully
quilled items available to include moccasins, medicine bags and pipe bags, hair
ornaments, key rings, jewelry and many other accessories. One of the most
popular is the medicine wheel, a round shape with four directional bars inside
the circle. It is covered with plaited quills which are dyed in either the
traditional directional colors or in a variety of colors. Please contact The
Indian Craft Shop for its current selection of quillwork. For further reading,
see the Publications section for available books!
FETISH CARVINGS
Fetish carvings, which are small stone representations of animals, are one of
the most popular and easily collected forms of American Indian art. Fetishes
have long been an integral feature of the traditional religious practices of
Pueblo groups. Over the last sixty years the creation of fetishes has developed
into an art form by many artisans, predominantly at the Zuni Pueblo. The
depictions of animals range from very abstract representational forms to highly
detailed lifelike sculptural works, ranging in size from miniatures that sit on
the tip of a finger to pieces too large to fit in the hand. A wide variety of
materials are used including varieties of jasper, marble and serpentine, as well
as turquoise, malachite, flourite, alabaster and pipestone. Carvers also utilize
materials other than stone including shell, coral, jet, ironwood, cottonwood,
cedar, antler, bone, fossil ivory, and even glass! The array of animals is
equally diverse. The traditional forms of the six directions which are: wolf
(east), bear (west), mountain lion (north), badger (south), mole (underground),
and eagle (sky), are most often represented. In addition to these commonly
carved animals, artists are creating just about to include turtles, frogs, fish,
horses, elephants, dinosaurs, buffalo, skunks, weasels, and just about
everything else imaginable.
At the Indian Craft Shop there is always a wide selection of fetish carvings
ranging from traditional subjects and styles to the most innovative of the
modern pieces. The price range of fetish carvings is from under $10 to sometimes
over $1000 dependent on the material, detail of carving, and the skill level and
notability of the artist. Collecting fetish carvings is a rewarding experience
as each figure takes on its own personality. To learn more about fetishes,
following is a list of books available on the subject.
Zuni Fetishes by Frank Hamilton
Cushing. KC Publications, 1883, 1990. Soft cover $3.00.
Zuni Fetishes by Frank Hamilton
Cushing with annotations and supplemental material by Mark Bahti. KC
Publications, 1999. Soft cover $7.95.
A Zuni Artist Looks at Frank Hamilton Cushing: Cartoons by Phil Hughte
by Phil Hughte. A:shiwi A:wan Museum and Heritage Center, 1994. Soft cover
$24.95.
Zuni Fetishism by Ruth F. Kirk.
Avanyu Publishing, 1943, 1988. Soft cover $4.75.
A Guide to Zuni Fetishes and Carvings, Volume I: The Animals and the Carvers
by Kent McManis. Treasure Chest, 1995, 1998. Soft cover $8.95.
Guide to Zuni Fetishes and Carvings, Volume II: The Materials and the Carvers
by Kent McManis. Treasure Chest, 1998. Soft cover, $8.95.
Zuni Fetish Carvings by Dr. Harold
Finklestein. Southwest Connection, 1994. Soft cover $8.95.
The Fetish Carvers of Zuni by
Marian Rodee and James Ostler. University of New Mexico, 1995. Soft cover
$18.95.
Native American Fetishes by Kay
Whittle. Schiffer, 1998. Soft cover $14.95.
Spirit in the Stone: A Handbook of Southwestern Indian Animal Carvings and
Beliefs by Mark Bahti. Treasure
Chest, 1999. Soft cover $15.95.
KACHINAS
Central to the traditional religion of the Hopi people of the Northern
Arizona are Kachinas. A Kachina (Katsinsa) is a supernatural being relied upon
to provide rain, fertility, health, and well being. While Kachinas play a role
in many of the Pueblo societies, the Hopi are most noted and prolific today in
kachina doll carving. Each year in elaborate ceremonies, men of the Hopi
villages dress and mask themselves for ritualized dances to represent and call
on the different Kachinas. Kachina dolls are carved from cottonwood root and
have long been used to instruct Hopi children in the ways of the traditional
religious cycles, and to help them learn to identify the hundreds of different
beings. The carvings convey the movement of the dancer, and the specific
particulars of the mask, costume, and accessories. In addition to Kachinas, Hopi
artists also carve figures from Hopi mythology and folklore as well as other
Pueblos dancers.
The Indian Craft Shop features a selection of Hopi carvings from both
emerging and well-established artists, as well as occasional selections of Zuni
carved kachina dolls. Some of the most popular carvings include Eototo and Aholi
(Kachina Chief and 1st Lieutenant), Ogres, Shalako, Eagle, Bear, Wolf and
Badger, and clowns to include Koshares and Mudheads. Price ranges on kachina
dolls vary from the low $100ís to over $1000. Please contact the shop for our
current selection/special requests. If you are interested in learning more about
kachinas, following is a selection of the very best books on the subject.
The Hopi Approach to the Art of Kachina Doll Carving
by Erik Bromberg. Schiffer,1986. Soft cover $9.95.
Kachinas: Spirit Beings of the Hopi
by J. Brent Ricks and Alexander E. Anthony, Jr, with art by Neil David, Sr.
Avanyu, 1993. Hard cover $50.00.
Hopi Kachinas by Clara Lee Tanner.
Ray Manley Publishing. Soft cover $6.95.
The Kachina Dolls of Cecil Calnimptewa: Their Power, Their Splendor
by Theda Bassman. Treasure Chest, 1991. Hard cover, Limited Edition, $70.00.
Hopi Kachina Dolls and Their Carvers
by Theda Bassman. Schiffer, 1991. Hard cover $59.95.
Kachinas: A Hopi Artist's Documentary
by Barton Wright, original paintings by Cliff Bahnimptewa. Northland with the
Heard Museum, 1973, 1991. Hard cover $55.00. Soft cover 1973, 1998 $29.95.
Following the Sun and Moon: Hopi Kachina Tradition
by Alph H. Secakuku. Northland, 1995. Soft cover $19.95.
Hopi Kachina Dolls With a Key to Their Identification
by Harold S. Colton. University of New Mexico, 1949, 1959, 1990. Soft cover
$10.95.
Hopi Kachinas: The Complete Guide to Collecting Kachina Dolls
by Barton Wright. Northland, 1977, 1997. Soft cover $14.95.
Clowns of the Hopi by Barton
Wright. Northland, 1994, 1995. Soft cover $12.95.
Kachina Dolls: The Art of Hopi Carvers
by Helga Tiewes. University of Arizona, 1991. Hard cover $29.95.
Hopi Indian Kachina Dolls by Oscar
T. Branson. Treasure Chest, 1992. Hard cover $29.95.
NAVAJO RUGS
From the looms of Navajo weavers come wool rugs that are comparable to the
world’s finest weavings. Navajo weavings are woven on upright looms that are
constructed by the weaver. The transition from producing weavings for personal
use to producing items for commerce was largely responsible for the development
of the modern Navajo rug, just over one hundred years ago. The advent of
reservation trading posts encouraged this transition by creating market outlets
for products like rugs that previously had circulated only in trade. Exposure to
larger markets had a significant effect on the evolution of the art form. The
most apparent example of this was the development of regional styles and
patterns. Although they are no longer accurate indicators of a modern rug’s
geographic origin, the regional names such as Two Grey Hills, Wide Ruins, or
Ganado still identify rugs of a particular style. It is important to realize
that these are general styles, and not specific patterns or designs. There is no
set of Navajo designs, and patterns are devised within the mind of the weaver,
so while two rugs may be very similar, there are no two exactly alike.
At the Indian Craft Shop there is always a selection of Navajo rugs
representing regional styles, as well as the popular pictorials and sandpainting
designs. We often have unusual or exceptional examples of a particular type, and
can take advantage of our extensive sources to locate hard to find or unique
weavings. Prices on Navajo rugs range from about $100 into the $1000ís. Please
contact the shop for our current selection and any special requests you may
have. If you would like to learn more about the fascinating history of Navajo
weaving and the development of their styles, following are some execellent books
on the subject.
The Navajo Weaving Tradition, 1650 to the Present
by Alice Kaufman and Christopher Selser. Council Oak, 1985, 1999. Soft cover
$29.95.
Reflections of the Weaver's World
by Ann Lane Hedlund. Denver Art Museum, 1992. Soft cover $29.95.
Navajo Weaving Way: The Path From Fleece to Rug
by Noel Bennet and Tianna Bighorse. Interweave Press, 1997. Soft cover $19.95.
Weaving a World: Textiles and the Navajo Way of Seeing
by Roseann S. Willink and Paul G. Zolbrod. Museum of New Mexico Press, 1996.
Soft cover $29.95.
The Rugs of Teec Nos Pos: Jewel of the Navajo Loom
by Ruth K. Belikove. Adobe Gallery, 1994. Soft cover $22.50.
Navajo and Hopi Dyes by Nonabagh
G. Bryan. Historic Indian Publishers, 1940, 1974. Soft cover $14.95.
C.N. Cotton and His Navajo Blankets
by Lester L. Williams, MD. Avanyu, 1989. Soft cover $22.50.
Weaving of the Southwest by Marian
Rodee. Schiffer, 1987. Soft cover $29.95.
Honoring the Weavers exhibit
catalog from the Pojoaque Poah Museum. Kiva, 1996. Soft cover $8.95.
Southwest Weaving: A Continuum by
Stefani Salkeld. San Diego Museum of Man, 1996. Soft cover $19.95.
Spanish American Blanketry
by H.P. Mera. School of American
Research, 1987. Soft cover $14.95.
Hopi Quilting: Stitched Traditions from an Ancient Community
by Carolyn O'Bagy Davis. Sanpete, 1997. Soft cover $27.95.
To Honor and Comfort: Native Quilting Traditions
edited by Marsha L. MacDowell and C. Kurt Dewhurst. Museum of New Mexico, 1997.
Soft cover $35.00.
Rugs and Posts: The Story of Navajo Weaving and Indian Trading
by H.L. James. Schiffer, 1988, 1999. Soft cover $24.95.
Navajo Textiles: The William Randolph Hearst Collection
by Nancy J. Blomberg. University of Arizona, 1988, 1994. Soft cover $35.00.
Contemporary Navajo Weaving: Thoughts That Count
by Ann Lane Hedlund. Plateau Magazine, Museum of Northern Arizona, 1994. Soft
cover $6.95.
Historic Trading Posts , Plateau
Magazine, Museum of Northern Arizona, 1986. Soft cover $5.00.
Pictorial Weavings of the Navajo
by Nancy N. Schiffer. Schiffer, 1991. Soft cover $12.95.
Navajo Weaving: Three Centuries of Chang e
by Kate Peck Kent. School of American Research Press, 1985. Soft cover $16.95.
Tension and Harmony: The Navajo Rug
by Kate Peck Kent, Joe Ben Wheat, Marsha Gallagher, and Gary Witherspoon. Museum
of Northern Arizona, 1987. Soft cover $4.95.
Navajo Pictorial Weaving 1880-1950
by Tyrone Campbell and Kate Kopp. University of New Mexico, 1991, 1995. Soft
cover $19.95.
Historic Navajo Weaving: Three Cultures, One Loom
by Tyrone D. Campbell. Avanyu, 1987. Soft cover $14.95.
Hubbell Trading Post: National Historic Site
by David M. Brugge. Southwest Parks and Monuments Association, 1993. Soft cover
$9.95.
Navajo Rugs: How to Find, Evaluate, Buy and Care for Them
by Don Dedera. Northland, 1975, 1996. Soft cover $14.95.
Old Navajo Rugs: Their Development from 1900 to 1940
by Marian Rodee. University of New Mexico, 1981, 1987. Soft cover $17.95.
One Hundred Years of Navajo Rugs
by Marian Rodee. Updated edition of Old Navajo Rugs. University of New Mexico,
1995. Soft cover $29.95.
Designing With the Wool: Advanced Techniques in Navajo Weaving
by Noel Bennett. Northland, 1979, 1986. Soft cover $8.95. Northland, 1979,
1990.Soft cover $12.95.
Rio Grande Blankets: Late Nineteenth Century Textiles in Transition
by Kellen Kee McIntyre. Adobe Gallery, 1992. Soft cover $22.50.
The Fine Art of Navajo Weaving by
Steve Getzwiller. Ray Manley Publishing, 1984. Soft cover $9.95.
The Weaver's Pathway: A Clarification of the "Spirit Trail" in
Navajo Weaving by Noel Bennett.
Northland, 1974, 1987. Soft cover $11.95.
Beyond the Loom: Keys to Understanding Early Southwestern Weavings
by Ann Lane Hedlund with Joe Ben Wheat. Johnson Publishing, 1990. Soft cover
$9.95.
Indian Blankets and Their Makers
by George Wharton James. Dover, 1974.
Soft cover $8.95.
Weaving a Navajo Blanket by Gladys
A. Reichard. Dover, 1936, 1974. Soft cover $4.95.
Navajo Rugs: Past, Present, and Future
by Gilbert S. Maxwell, revised by Bill and Sande Bobb. Southwest Images, 1963,
1984, 1992. Soft cover $8.95.
A Guide to Navajo Weavings by Kent
McManis and Robert Jeffries. Treasure Chest, 1997. Soft cover $9.95.
Navaho Weaving: It's Technic and it's History
by Charles A. Amsden. Rio Grande, 1934, 1990. Soft cover $15.00.
POTTERY
Contemporary American Indian pottery is the legacy of a tradition thousands
of years old. To be considered a "traditional" piece of pottery the
potter must dig the clay out of the ground and construct the pot entirely by
hand without the use of a potter's wheel. Many traditional potters eschew the
use of electric kilns for firing their work, instead using an outdoor pit fueled
by wood and dung. Designs are either carved or scratched into the surface of a
dried piece before it is fired. Designs can also be applied with a
"slip", a thin mixture of water and clay. Different clays, ground
minerals, or plant materials are used to make slips of different colors. Many
Navajo potters coat their pieces with pine pitch, which gives them a lustrous
finish. No glaze is ever used in traditional American Indian pottery. Pottery
with a shiny finish has been polished by rubbing the surface of the piece with
smooth stones. Often a single piece will incorporate several of these
techniques.
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Dialogues with Zuni Potters
by Milford Nahohai and Elisa Phelps. Zuni Ashiwi Publishing, 1995. Soft
cover $19.95 Indian Pottery by Toni
Roller. Sunstone Press, 1997. Soft cover $12.95
Zuni Pottery by Marian Rodee
and James Ostler. Schiffer Publishing, 1986. Soft cover $9.95
Santa Clara Pottery Today by
Betty LeFree. School of American Research Press, 1975. Soft cover $11.95
Maria: The Legend, The Legacy
by Susan Brown McGreevy. Sunstone Press, 1982. Soft cover $4.50
Acoma and Laguna Pottery by
Rick Dillingham with Melinda Elliott. School of American Research Press,
1992. Soft cover $24.95.
Pottery by American Indian Women: The Legacy of Generations
by Susan Peterson Abbeville Publishing Group and The National Museum of
Women in the Arts, 1997. Hard cover $55.00.
Fourteen Families in Pueblo Pottery
by Rick Dillingham. University of New Mexico Press, 1994, 1997. Soft cover
$39.95.
A Guide to Pueblo Pottery by
Susan Lamb. Southwest Parks and Monuments Association, 1996. Soft cover
$3.95.
The Pueblo Storyteller by
Barbara A. Babcock, Guy Monthan, and Doris Monthan. The University of
Arizona Press. Hard cover, 1986, 1990 $50.00 Soft cover, 1997 $25.95.
Southwestern Pottery Anasazi to Zuni
by Allan Hayes and John Blom. Northland Publishing, 1996, 1997. Soft cover
$21.95.
Nacimientos: Nativity Scenes by Southwest Indian Artisans
by Guy Monthan and Doris Monthan. Northland Press, 1979, 1990. Soft cover
$29.95.
Storytellers and Other Figurative Pottery
by Douglas Congdon-Martin. Schiffer Publishing, 1990. Soft cover $19.95.
Pueblo Stories and Storytellers
by Mark Bahti. Treasure Chest Publications, 1988. Soft cover $9.95.
Revised Edition, 1996. Soft cover $12.95.
Navajo Pottery: Traditions and Innovations
by Russell P. Hartman and Jan Musial. Northland Publishing, 1987, 1991.
Soft cover $12.95.
The Pueblo Potter: A Study of Creative Imagination in Primitive Art
by Ruth L. Benzel. Dover Publications, 1929, 1972. Soft cover $7.95.
Talking with the Clay: The Art of Pueblo Pottery
by Stephen Trimble. School of
American Research Press, 1987, 1993. Soft cover $15.95.
From This Earth: The Ancient Art of Pueblo Pottery
by Stewart Peckham. Museum of New Mexico Press, 1990. Soft cover $39.95.
Art of Clay: Timeless Pottery of the Southwest
by Lee M. Cohen. Clear Light Publishers, 1993. Hard cover $39.95.
Talking Pots: Deciphering the Symbols of a Prehistoric People
by James R. Cunkle. Golden West 1993, 1996. Soft cover $19.95.
Southwestern Indian Pottery
by Bruce Hucko. K.C. Publishing 1999. Soft cover $7.95.
Collections of Southwestern Pottery: Candlesticks to Canteens, Frogs to
Figurines by Allan Hayes and
John Blom. Northland, 1998. Soft cover $9.95.
Artistry In Clay: A Buyer's Guide to Southwestern Indian Pottery
by Ramona Gault. Southwestern Association for Indian Arts, 1991, 1995.
Soft cover $8.95.
Pueblo Pottery of the New Mexico Indians
by Betty Toulouse. Museum of New Mexico Press, 1977. Soft cover $9.95.
All That Glitters: The Emergence of Micaceous Art Pottery in Northern
New Mexico by Duane Anderson.
School of American Research Press, 1999. Soft cover $27.50.
Dirt For Making Things: An Apprenticeship in Maricopa Pottery
as told to Janet Stoeppelmann by Mary Fernald. Northland, 1995. Soft cover
$ 14.95.
Hopi and Hopi-Tewa Pottery
Plateau Magazine of the Museum of Northern Arizona. Museum of Northern
Arizona Press, 1977. Soft cover $5.95.
Hopi Pottery Symbols by Alex
Patterson, based on work by Alexander M. Stephen. Johnson Printing, 1994.
Soft cover $17.95.
Seven Families in Pueblo Pottery
by the Maxwell Museum of Anthropology, University of New Mexico.
University of New Mexico Press, 1974, 1991. Soft cover $9.95.
Pueblo Pottery Families by
Lillian Peaster. Schiffer, 1997. Soft cover $19.95.
Tending the Fire: The Story of Maria Martinez
by Juddi Morris. Northland, 1997. Soft cover $6.95.
Hopi-Tewa Pottery: 500 Artist's Biographies
by Gregory Schaaf. Center for Indigenous Arts and Cultures Press, 1998.
Hard cover $50.00.
Pueblo Indian Pottery: 750 Artist Biographies
by Gregory Schaaf. Center for Indigenous Arts and Cultures Press, 2000.
Hard cover $55.00.
The Legacy of A Master Potter: Nampeyo and Her Descendants
by Mary Ellen Blair and Laurence Blair. Treasure Chest, 1999. Soft cover
$29.95.
Nampeyo and Her Pottery by
Barbara Kramer. University of New Mexico Press, 1996. Hard cover $39.95.
Tradition and Innovation: The Pottery of New Mexico's Pueblos
by Linda B. Eaton, Plateau Magazine of the Museum of Northern Arizona.
Museum of Northern Arizona Press, 1990. Soft cover $5.95.
Lucy M. Lewis: American Indian Potter
by Susan Peterson. Kodansha International, 1984, 1992. Soft cover $39.95.
Margaret Tafoya: A Tewa Potter's Heritage and Legacy
by Mary Ellen Blair and Laurence Blair. Schiffer, 1986. Hard cover $45.00.
The Living Tradition of Maria Martinez
by Susan Peterson. Kodonsha International, 1977, 1989. Soft cover $45.00. |
SANDPAINTINGS
Historically and through today, sandpainting ceremonies have been/are
conducted by Navajo Medicine men. Despite their use for centuries the images
themselves were not reproduced outside of the ceremonies until the early 1900ís
when sandpainting designs were occasionally being depicted in rugs, and had
begun to be catalogued by ethnographers. Within the last fifty years, a
technique was developed for making permanent sandpaintings as an art form on
particle board. By applying the sand onto thin layers of glue and coating the
finished piece with a clear coat of acrylic a degree of permanence is attained.
This technique has enabled sandpaintings to become commercfially available, and
many Navajo artists excel at this uniquely Navajo form of expression.
Traditional designs are reproduced with slight modifications (since the actual
complete designs can only be used in the appropriate religious setting) and
single elements of these designs are popular subjects for smaller pieces.
Nontraditional themes have also become more prevalent, including landscapes,
dancers, and still life images.
At the Indian Craft Shop there is a wide array of sandpaintings, many framed
and matted, as well as wooden boxes with decorative sandpainting lids. Prices on
sandpaintings can range from $5.00 to over $1000. Please contact the shop for
descriptions and its current selection. For further reading on sandpainting,
following is a list of great reference books.
Myth and Prayers of the Great Star Chant and the Myth of the Coyote Chant
recorded by Mary C. Wheelwright. Edited with commentaries by David P. McAllester.
Navajo Community College, 1956, 1988. Soft cover $27.00.
Navajo Medicine Man Sandpaintings
by Gladys A. Reichard. Dover, 1939, 1977. Soft cover $12.95.
Navajo Art of Sandpainting by
Douglas Congden-Martin. Schiffer, 1990, 1997. Soft cover $9.95. Revised 1999
soft cover $9.95.
Tapestries In Sand: The Spirit of Indian Sandpainting
by David Villesanor. Naturegraph, 1963, 1966. Soft cover $8.95.
Earth is my Mother, Sky is my Father: Space, Time and Astronomy in Navajo
Sandpainting by Trudy Griffin-Pierce.
University of New Mexico, 1992. Soft cover $16.95.
Sandpaintings of the Navajo Shooting Chant
by Franc J. Newcomband Gladys A. Reichard. Dover, 1937, 1975. Soft cover $11.95.
Summoning the Gods
by Ronald McCoy. Museum of Northern
Arizona, 1988. Soft cover $15.95.
Native American Art - Collector's
Tips
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