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

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Handmade Navajo Indian Pottery
Craftsperson: Elizabeth Manygoats
Biographical information on Elizabeth Manygoats and other Indian potters of the Southwest.

Navajo pitch pottery is a low temperature fired ceramic that is completely handmade. 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 or wood as fuel.

Navajo Wedding Vase with Horned Toads

Navajo wedding vase by Elizabeth Manygoats

Side view of wedding vase by Elizabeth Manygoats

The Wedding Vase pictured here was made by Elizabeth Manygoats. It is decorated with seven appliquéd horned toads (see below), and has been coated with pinon pitch. This piece is signed by the artist, "Elizabeth Manygoats 2004." "Fire clouds" are visible on the images above and to the right.

Size: 8" tall, 5" at widest part of vase.

A note about the color. The actual color is most like the images above than the image to the right which appears lightened a bit too much from the studio lights when the picture was shot.

Size: 8" tall, 5" at widest part of vase.
Handmade by: Elizabeth Manygoats
This piece is signed by the artist, "Elizabeth Manygoats 2004."

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Item Number: 97-EM-935
Price: $94.00
S/H: $15.90, includes insurance.

Please note that we make every attempt to accurately represent the shades of colors of pottery and of all other items, but there will likely always be some variation between colors viewed on one person's computer and monitor and the colors viewed on our computer. When possible we try to point out and describe any variation we notice between the image on our screen and the actual item.

Navajo pitch pottery is a low temperature fired ceramic and dark areas or "fire clouds" result from and are a "signature" of the traditional firing process that uses sheep dung or wood as fuel. Most Navajo pottery is coated with the pitch of pinon trees, (any of several small pines with edible seeds), that gives it the glossy finish, for the original purpose of waterproofing the pot. Traditional designs of corn, ye'iis, cactus, and geometric designs are appliquéd and incised on Navajo pottery. Some artists, like Betty Manygoats, her family members, and others favor the horned toad, a lizard, that has significance in Navajo lore and legend.

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

See books for sale about American Indian Pottery.

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 on all Navajo rug orders over $500.00
Free Shipping/Handling/Insurance on all other orders over $250.00
(S/H/I fees posted on orders of multiple items that when added together total over $500.00 for
rugs, or over $250.00 for all other items will be adjusted off before charging your credit card.)

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