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Native American Arts -
Horsehair Pottery
Horsehair Pottery
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Horsehair pottery is an ancient practice, and results in
beautiful and treasured pieces of art. Often used to
commemorate the birth of a foal, or the life of a
cherished horse, horsehair pottery is made much as its
name implies, though it is a rather complicated and
sometimes dangerous process.
Said to have been discovered when a long-haired maiden
had some of her hair blown onto her pottery that she
pulled fresh from the kiln, horsehair pottery is created
when a piece is draped with horsehair when it is still
hot. Generally the piece must be laced with the
horsehair once it has reached about 1600 degrees, but
some artists are able to achieve the fine lines from the
horse hair at about 1000 degrees, depending on the
particular kind of clay being used. There is a very
short window of time that the artist has to place the
hair, and for the most part they have little control
over the exact patterns that will arise from the
technique. The hair is instantly burned off the pottery,
which creates a carbon smoke. The hair itself is what
creates the dark lines while the smoke burns in the
light, cloudy patterns.
These marvelous examples of horsehair pottery are
created by Master Navajo Artist Tom Vail, a resident of
New Mexico and members of his
extremely talented family. Each of the pieces shown here
on our website are example pieces of Tom’s work, and
since each piece is carefully handmade and because of
the unique character of horse hair pottery, your piece
of pottery will be different from the one pictured here.
Tom Vail is one of the most sought after Native American
horsehair pottery artists, so you’re sure to be pleased
with the uniquely colored and etched piece once it
arrives. Tom creates both fine etched horsehair pottery
as well as horsehair sculptures, both of which can be
found here on our website. Each one of these pieces come
with a certificate of authenticity that guarantees their
true Native American origin.
Click on Image for Larger View |
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Banded Horsehair Medium Wedding Vases
The Wedding Vase is an ancient vessel still used in
traditional Pueblo
wedding ceremonies. One spout of the vessel represents the
husband and the other the wife. The looped handle represents
the unity achieved with marriage. The space created within
the loop represents the circle of life. In the traditional
ceremony, the couple drink nectar (prepared by the medicine
man) from the spouts to represent the blending their lives.
The pot is a reflection of the ancient rite.
Banding colors on wedding vases will be different than what is
shown. Each vase is unique in color and etching.
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HHB34A - 11"x5" Banded Hi-Loop Price:
$61.95
HHB02A -
8" x 5" Banded Squat
Price: $61.95
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Etched Horsehair Pottery - Business Card Holder
A decorative horsehair ceramic pottery accessory for holding pens and
business cards. Looks great on any desk. Etching will be different on
each business card holder.
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HH105 -
4" x 8" Business Card Holder Price:
$45.95
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Horsehair Pottery Canoe
A horsehair canoe that be placed as a piece of pottery to complement
your home or office decorating or can be used as a desk accessory, fine
for holding paper clips, thumbtacks, business cards etc. Hand etched by
Native American Indians here in the southwestern United States.
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HH90
- 2" x 8"
Canoe Price:
$32.95
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Horsehair Pottery - Canteen
A horsehair ceramic pottery canteen with a leather strap for hanging as
decoration. This is a type of pot that the Native Americans would have
carried to hold water as they traveled across the arid southwestern
desert. Handcrafted by Native Americans here in the southwest.
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HH100A
- 8" tall Canteen Price:
$49.95
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Horsehair Pottery Carnival Horse
The
horsehair figure of a rearing horse celebrates the importance of the
horse in the life of Native Peoples of the Southwest.
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HH10D-
10.5" tall Carnival Horse Price:
$52.95
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Horsehair Pottery - Cats
Our Horsehair figurines of cats are very popular with our customers.
These largest statues are commonly used beside fireplaces and the
smaller ones given as gifts to other animal lovers.
HH11D - 27" x 7" XL Horsehair Cat Price:
$199.95
HH11 -
22" x 6" Large Horsehair Cat
Price: $119.95
HH11A - 11" x 5" Medium Horsehair Cat Price: $49.95
HH11B - 9" x 4" Small
Horsehair Cat Price: $39.95
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Horsehair
Pottery Chief's Head with Buffalo
This horsehair Chief with Buffalo represents a highly revered person and
a vitally important animal for Native peoples.
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HH112 -
6" x 10" Chief's Head with Buffalo Price:
$89.95
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Horsehair Pottery Chief's Head with
Bear or Wolf
The horsehair chief's head with bear or wolf acknowledges the Native
Americans' great respect for both these animals.
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HH52 - 7" x 6" Small Chief's Head Price:
$48.95
HH52A - 12" x
9" Large Chief's Head Price: $139.95
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Horsehair Pottery Dancing Warrior
A horsehair ceramic pottery of a warrior dancing while
he holds his shield. He is preparing for a long and difficult journey or
to go out with his hunting party.
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HH61 -
11.5" x 9" Dancing Warrior Price:
$94.95
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Horsehair
Pottery Decanter
The
horsehair decanter is embossed with an animal of importance to Native
Peoples such as the eagle, bear or wolf. These decanters are sometimes
used as cremation urns. Each one is completed with a small turquoise
necklace with a silver feather.
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HH20 - 11" x 10.5" Price:
$94.95
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Horsehair Pottery
Eagles
In horsehair as in other media, for Native American
people the eagle represents the messenger between the people and the
Great Spirits.
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HH30A - 17.5" x 8" Pueblo Eagle
Price:
$112.95
HH30 - 12" x
7" Soaring Eagle Price: $91.95
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Horsehair Pottery
Flat Wolf with Shield
The horsehair wolf with shield serves both as a crest and an
acknowledgement of the wolf's prowess as hunter.
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HH107 -
7" x 7" Flat Wolf with Shield Price:
$48.95
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Horsehair Pottery Indian Painted Pot -
Four Corners
This horsehair pot represents the breadth of the Navajo land holdings
covering the corners of four states, and it also represents the four
cardinal directions which is where the Navajo get their power.
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HH33 -
12" x 11" Four Corners Pot
Sold Out!
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Horsehair Pottery Good Medicine Buffalo
This horsehair buffalo, like any buffalo, serves as a reminder of the
importance of this animal in the lives of Native Peoples.
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HH07 -
8" x 12" Large Buffalo Price:
$59.95
HH07A - 6" x
9" Medium Buffalo Price: $42.95
HH07B - 4" x 6.5" Small
Buffalo
Price: $29.95
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