Adobe Gallery Blog
Very Large Historic Ohkay Owingeh Pueblo Shallow Polished Red Bowl - C3889B
Ohkay Owingeh Pueblo had a strong tradition of plainware pottery production prior to 1900. Pottery styles included Black-over-gray and Red-over-tan, the difference being only from the firing technique. Pottery had slip applied only partially, usually the upper half, in red clay. If fired in an oxidizing atmosphere, the result was Red-over tan, the tan being the natural color of the clay body. If fired in a reduction firing, the result was Black-over-gray, the gray resulting from the firing effect on the natural tan clay body.
Those two styles of pottery were the extent of pottery production at the pueblo. The lack of painted designs was the reason such vessels were so beautiful. Vessel shape and high burnish were the traits that brought out the beauty of each jar or bowl.