Native American Pottery Glossary Index

• A
• B
• C
• D
• E
• F
• G
• H
• I
• J
• K
• L
• M
• N
• O
• P
• Q
• R
• S
• T
• U
• V
• W
• X
• Y
• Z

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avanyu

is a horned and plumed serpent design on Pueblo pottery, also referred to as a water serpent

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Appliques

practice of affixing figures, such as animals and corn to pottery’s surface

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Band

is an encircling area of design usually bounded by horizontal framing line.

Bear paw design

is found on some Santa Clara Pueblo traditional pottery represented as an imprint.

Black on black

is a type of blackware pottery finished both by black polish and dull or matte finish usually suggesting design.

Blackware

is any type of black pottery, plain, carved, polished or decorated, made primarily at Santa Clara and San Ildefonso Pueblos. Red clay used to make blackware turns black from carbon released during low temperature and reduced oxygen atmosphere.

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Carved

is a deep depression carved in pottery before firing, characteristic of some Santa Clara Pueblo pottery and less frequently on San Ildefonso Pueblo pottery.

Crazing

is discontinuity or fire cracks in the slip possibly due to uneven shrinkage of the underlying clay.

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Fire cloud

is a blemish on a pot caused by the pot coming into contact with a piece of fuel, thus being fired at a higher temperature.

Firing

is a heating process by which the pottery vessel is hardened. The traditional technique does not use a kiln, the fuel is simply being piled around the pots and set on fire. A reducing fire excludes fresh air from the center, resulting in pottery that ma

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Glaze

is a finely powdered mineral substance painted on the surface of a vessel, which melts during firing and forms a more or less glassy coating. The Pueblo Native Americans used this material only for painting the design lines, not for overall waterproofing

Gun metal finish

appears as a silvery black surface quality yielding a metallic look to the surface coloration.

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Historic pottery

is pottery produced after the arrival and influence of Europeans to North America and continuing to the late 19th century.

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Incised design

is applied on a pot, before or after firing, by a pointed tool which removed the slip and exposes the underlying clay.

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Line break

is a small interruption in the band design. It may be present only in the framing lines of the band or the entire band design may be broken by a short gap. Also referred to as a ceremonial gap.

Lip

is a tiny flare at the opening of a vessel to reduce dribble during the pouring of a liquid

Lip

is a tiny flare at the opening of a vessel to reduce dribble during the pouring of a liquid.

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Micaceous clay

is clay containing mica, characteristically used by potters at San Juan, Taos and Picuris.

Mineral paint

is a substance used for decorating pottery formed of a finely powdered mineral substance such as iron oxide, mixed with water and perhaps even including some carbonaceous material (as a binder).

Motif

is a substance used for decorating pottery formed of a finely powdered mineral substance such as iron oxide, mixed with water and perhaps even including some carbonaceous material (as a binder).

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Neck

is the part of a jar near the opening which is relatively constricted and cylindrical in comparison with the main body of the vessel. Some jars have no neck.

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Olla

large pot used as a water container.

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Pitting

is a problem observed occasionally on Pueblo pottery resulting from expansion and contraction of improperly prepared clay or impure clay.

Polish

is the smooth surface finish achieved by means of stone stroking or rubbing with fabric or leather when the surface is still damp before firing.

Polychrome

is pottery with three or more colors or tones, making up the color scheme.

Prehistoric

is pottery produced prior to the arrival of Europeans in North America.

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Rim

is the region of the vessel adjacent to the opening.

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Slip

is a coating on a watered down clay applied to the surface of a pot before firing. The slip may be polished or left as a matte finish.

Shoulder

is the widest part of a jar, if it occurs rather high on the vessel.

Slip

is a coating of a watered down clay applied to the surface of a pot before firing. The slip may be polished or left as a matte finish.

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Type

is a group of pottery vessels that are alike in every important characteristic except (possibly) shape.

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Utilitarian ware

is pottery used for everyday needs such as cooking, eating and storage.

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Ware

is a group of pottery vessels that are alike in every important characteristics, but may differ in others.

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