02 Sep 2015 Southwest Clay Pottery

Southwest Indian art is probably the most distinctive and best known of Native American artistic traditions. Native American pottery is a craft that has been handed down and perfected for thousands of years. Experts believe that Native American pottery started being made roughly 2,000 years ago. When nomadic American Indians began focusing on agriculture and settled down, Native American pottery was developed out of necessity to gather water, store grains and help preserve seeds. But with the passage of time the pottery became much more than a necessary container.

Sandstone Cup Shaped Pot

Southwestern Indian art forms have not only influenced the popular culture of the region at large, they also remain as thriving, unbroken artistic traditions of the native people who first created them. The arts and crafts that Southwest Indian artists are best known for the Hopi and sandstone potteries of the Navajo and the beautiful pottery, particularly by Pueblo Indian artists. The designs of these potteries are instantly recognizable.

Sandstone Bell

Each piece of American Indian pottery is a work of art and many of today’s Southwest pottery artists use methods that has been handed down through the tribes for hundreds or thousands of years. The potteries developed differently in different tribes. They are most famous for their colorful designs and figures like the kokopelli, distinctive forms like the double-spouted wedding vase, and unique techniques. The sandstone potteries with kokopelli artwork and fire glazed in bright red, black and white glazes are perfect as home decor piece. The wedding vases are a signature piece of the Southwest pottery.

Southwest tribes are unquestionably the ones who have preserved their ceramics heritage the best. The Navajo Nation is the largest American Indian group in the United States and is also home to some of the most amazing Southwest pottery in the country. So next time you are in search of potteries, try unique Southwestern potteries and see the magic.

Pushpita is a freelance writer on world handicrafts and lifestyle. Pushpita holds a Masters in English literature and is a rich media professional.