Pottery is widely used by indigenous cultures around the world. The Pueblo Indians used pottery for practical purposes and to express the unique aspects of their culture. Many pottery artifacts have been discovered by archaeologists who study the smallest of sherds, and handcrafted pieces are still produced by the descendants of native tribes. Pueblo pottery is a beautiful treasure that you can use to… Continue Reading
As the month draws to an end, we like to reflect on one of the great indigenous traditions that takes place this time of year. Day of the Dead will soon be here. What does this holiday mean for us? An Ancient Celebration of Life Although we think of Day of the Dead as a… Continue Reading
It’s easy to argue that the foundation of art is culture. An artist is driven to create by his or her individual beliefs, values, and life perspective—all of which are heavily influenced by the society in which they live. Diving deeper into different pieces of Native American art is a fascinating way to learn about… Continue Reading
The techniques that shaped Mata Ortiz pottery, also known as Casas Grandes pottery, were conceived in pre-Columbian times. The history of Mata Ortiz pottery is built on this art form that disappeared, along with the city in which it was born in called Paquimé. But that all changed when a young boy from Mata… Continue Reading
Mata Ortiz pottery was revived with an archaeological dig in Paquimé, a pre-Columbian city located in the Rio Grande River Valley. Paquimé grew into a thriving city with booming political and commercial life, a working sewer system, irrigation, fine buildings and more, earning it the nickname of Casas Grandes, or large houses. This civilization vanished… Continue Reading