Horsehair Pottery

At Gray Wolf Trading Post, we proudly offer a wide range of Native American Horsehair ceramic pottery, meticulously handmade by artisans representing various tribes. Each piece is crafted and adorned with natural materials, ensuring that every creation is a unique work of art.

This distinctive style of pottery includes both figurative pieces and traditional pot shapes. The ceramic vessels are not individually hand-built but are molded, allowing artisans more time to focus on intricate etching and painting techniques. Over time, these methods have evolved, enhancing the beauty and collectibility of the pottery, which is more affordable compared to hand-built or hand-coiled pots.

Historically, Native American tribes used this pottery to honor beloved horses or commemorate their births. Legend has it that this pottery originated when a maiden’s flowing hair accidentally burned onto hot pottery during its firing, leaving distinct dark lines and smoky grey areas. Today, the process involves pouring clay into molds, applying horsehair from mane and tail onto the hot pottery, firing it, and then etching and spray-glazing each piece. Every pottery item is accompanied by a certificate of authenticity, confirming its creation by a Native American artist from Arizona or New Mexico.

In contrast, our painted Horsehair pottery features designs incised into air-dried ceramic clay pots using a damp sponge and commercial paints on a potter’s wheel. This technique, known as Sgraffitto, showcases intricate Navajo designs symbolizing mountains, rain, animals, and more, each symbol serving as a prayer to the Great Spirit. Please be aware that each piece is hand-finished, ensuring that no two are alike, with variations in etching and the presence of animals or figures. ^