Special Exhibit of Historic Pueblo Pottery

Historic pueblo pottery is basically defined as that pottery available from the still-occupied New Mexico pueblos, and from a time period spanning 1700 to 1940. Very little early historic pottery (1700 to 1880) is available on the market today, most having found its way into museums or private collections. Late historic pottery (1880 to 1940), although not abundant, is more easily found in today's market.

Some of the most beautiful utilitarian wares come from the northern New Mexican Tewa villages (San Juan, Santa Clara and San Ildefonso) as well as the more southern pueblos of Santa Ana and Isleta. Those from the period 1880 to 1930 seem particularly spectacular in their simplicity. The colors were limited to a red banding around the neck and upperbody, and tan or grey coloring on the underbody. Decoration was limited to "fire clouds" which add to the beauty of the vessel.