Miniature Zuni Pottery by Yvonne Nashboo is featured at Bair's Indian Trading.

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Authentic, Miniature Zuni Pottery
Craftsperson: Yvonne Nashboo
Biographical information on Yvonne Nashboo and other Indian potters of the Southwest.

Zuni pottery is made from clay that is dug from beds on Zuni land, and crushed potsherds are used for the temper. Pots are hand-built and hand-painted with traditional designs that feature water symbols, hunting symbols, and intricate geometric patterns. These symbols include frogs, tadpoles, turtles, salamanders, lizards, and dragonflies, heartline deer, and heartline bear. The fine parallel lined "hatching" used in many geometric designs is representative of falling rain. Effigy figures are still made by potters in Zuni with owls and bears being the most popular. The "spirit break," a broken line on the rim of Zuni pottery, was a forgotten tradition that has been reintroduced. Pigments used for decoration of the pots come from natural materials such as yellow ochre, wild mustard or beeweed, and hematite.

Miniature Zuni pottery by Yvonne Nashboo.

Miniature Zuni Pottery
Size: 1 5/8" to top of pot; 1 7/8" to top of salamander head; 2" in diameter.
Handmade by: Yvonne Nashboo (Zuni Pueblo).
Signed: "Y.N. Zuni"
Item Number: 99-YN-729
Price: $80.00
S/H: $7.40, includes insurance.

The actual item for sale varies slightly from the images above.
The difference is nearly imperceptable. I can only notice it in the shape of the "eyes."
Order with confidence as your Satisfaction is Guaranteed.

Craftsperson: Brian Tsethlikai
Biographical information on Brian Tsethlikai and other Indian potters of the Southwest.

Size: 1 7/8" high; 1.75" in diameter.
Handmade by: Brian Tsethlikai
(Zuni Pueblo).
Signed: "B.T. Zuni"
Item Number: 99-BT-722
Price: $75.00
S/H: $6.90, includes insurance.

Miniature Zuni lizard pot by Brian Tsethlikai

Miniature pottery items are popularly made by Zuni potters and enjoyed by admiring collectors. Frogs, tadpoles, water serpents, and salamanders are all favored design features, as are turtles and lizards, on miniature bowls, jars, ollas, and plates.

Zuni pottery is made from clay that is dug from beds on Zuni land, and some of the clay used for the white or red slips is either acquired locally or from Acoma or Laguna Pueblo. Crushed potsherds are used for the temper. Pots are hand-built and hand-painted with traditional designs that feature water symbols, hunting symbols, and intricate geometric patterns. These symbols include frogs, tadpoles, turtles, lizards, and dragonflies, heartline deer, "deer in his house," and heartline bear. The fine parallel lined "hatching" used in many geometric designs is representative of falling rain. Pots with this also feature what may represent rain clouds that curve under much like a bird's beak and are referred to as "rainbird" pots. Effigy figures are still made by potters in Zuni with owls and bears being the most popular. The "spirit break," a broken line on the rim of Zuni pottery, was a forgotten tradition that has been reintroduced. The belief is that if a potter closes the painted line on the rim of a pot his or her life would also end. Pigments used for decoration of the pots come from natural materials such as yellow ochre, wild mustard or beeweed, and hematite. Some Zuni potters use electric kilns to fire their pots citing spiritual reasons to protect a family member who may be ill, or the need to fire pieces inside during inclement weather, or the fear of having pots break during the traditional firing out of doors.

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To order either or both of these items, use our secure Shopping Cart or contact us.
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.
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