Oaxaxa, Mexico, Black Pottery Jar with Pictographs [SOLD]

Black pottery from Oaxaxa, Mexico, is produced in the same manner as that from the Pueblos of New Mexico.  Potters of Oaxaxa mix sand and clay in the same manner as pueblo potters and form the pottery in the coil method.  Coils of clay are pinched together and then scraped using a piece of metal or bone.  Polishing of the finished pot is accomplished using polishing sticks whereas, New Mexico potters use river stones for polishing.

This jar was decorated by carving figures resembling petroglyph images into the wall surface.  The black clay surface was carved to reveal the brown clay of the wall, producing a unique jar with a pleasing look.

Condition: very good condition

Provenance: from the collection of Katherine H. Rust