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Earth, Air, Water and FireHow tradtional Navajo pottery is made
This traditional pottery is made in the ageless way of all traditional pottery that crosses cultural, natural and language boundaries. Clay is found in caches where it occurs naturally from interplay of the elements. It is hauled and painstakingly ground and worked until it can be soaked for a time in water. When the consistency is 'right', the artisan begins to work the clay into long rope like coils which are built onto each other, forming the base and walls of the vessel. The artisan uses different implements to shape and refine the vessels, and adds special ornamentation, such as corn, pinecone or horny toads for decoration. Navajo people do not paint figures on their traditional vessels, as this can be a harmful or disrespectful thing to do in their way of thinking. The vessels are dried, and fired in wood and other materials, which add the unique coloration and "clouds" on the walls of the vessel. While the pottery is still warm from the firing, piñon pitch which has been boiled is brushed onto the vessels to seal them and give them the shiny appearance you see in the finished product. While pottery was used for food and water storage in times past, we recommend it be used for ornamental purposes only. We hope you feel some of the beauty and wison that emanates from this classic art form. May you always be surrounded in beauty ... in beauty it is finished. (The Navajo Blessing Way Chant) Visit the Navajo Co-op Store Pottery.
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