Navajo Pottery by Betty Manygoats is featured at Bair's Indian Trading.

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Handmade Navajo Pottery
Craftsperson: Betty Manygoats
with some by daughters Elizabeth, Rita, and Rose Manygoats
Biographical information on Betty, Elizabeth, Rita, and Rose Manygoats
and other Indian potters of the Southwest.

Navajo pitch pottery is a low temperature fired ceramic. Variations in color and dark areas on the pots that are referred to as "fire clouds" result from and are a "signature" of the traditional firing process that uses sheep dung as fuel.

Three Navajo pottery horned toads by Betty Manygoats

These wonderful items are made of clay from the Navajo Indian Reservation in Northern Arizona and all are glazed with pinon pitch. Some are made by well-known Navajo potter, Betty Manygoats and some by her daughters Elizabeth, Rita, and Rose. Each of these Horned Toads is quite different in size, shape, coloration, and markings as shown in the photos.

Navajo pottery horned toads by Betty Manygoats.

In each of the unique representations of the Horned Toad, a personality seems to be expressed due to the detail put into them. Betty, Rita, Rose, and Elizabeth each have their own way of making them and as a result, body shapes and the scaling of their "skin" are different. Note the "Fire clouds" and color variations in the photos above and below. Also note the expressive faces.

A pair of Navajo pottery horned toads by Betty Manygoats.

The sizes of these Horned Toads varies from 3" to 3.75" long by 1.75" to 2.25" wide.
All horned toads are signed by their respective maker,
either, "BM," "EM," "RM", or "R.Manygoats".

Navajo pottery horned toads by Betty, Elizabeth, Rita Manygoats

Immediately above are four more Horned toads. These are all by Rita and Elizabeth Manygoats.
The shot below shows some more great expressions.

Front view of horned toads by the Manygoats family

effigy horned toad by Navajo potter Betty Manygoats.

Every item is different. No two are alike. The one being sold will vary from the images above.

Item: Horned Toad, traditonally fired with "fire clouds"
Size: 3 1/2" long, 2 1/4" wide, 1" high.
Maker: Rose Manygoats (Navajo)
Signed: "R.Manygoats"
Price: $35.00.
Order with confidence as your Satisfaction is Guaranteed.

Item Number: 97-RM-6015, by Rose Manygoats
S/H: $7.90, includes Insurance & Delivery Confirmation.

To order this item, use our secure Shopping Cart or contact us.

The horned toad is of course not a toad at all, but any of several new-world small, scaly, insect-eating lizards with a flattened body, short tail, and horn-like spines.
A powerful symbol to the Navajo people, "Noted artist Shonto Begay explains in his book 'Ma'ii and Cousin Horned Toad, 'Whenever we come upon a horned toad we gently place it over our heart and greet it, 'Ya ateeh shi che' ('Hello, my grandfather'). We believe it gives strength of heart and mind. We never harm our grandfather.' "
From "Enduring Traditions, Art of the Navajo," by Lois Essary Jacka

PLEASE NOTE: Orders of multiple items may result in a reduction of the total
amount charged for shipping/handling/insurance that is listed per item.
Any such reduction will occur before charging your credit card.

Free Shipping/Handling/Insurance for pottery orders over $250.00

See books for sale about American Indian Pottery.

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