Traditional Navajo pottery has changed much over the centuries. At one time they made not only very large storage jars, but also painted pottery. Then, sometime in the 1800s, the hataathli or Medicine Men decreed, for whatever reason, that painted pottery was off limits Ð too dangerous to make. Plainware then dominated. Most were coated with pinyon pitch to make them waterproof. Cooking pots, drums and serving bowls were made. It was disappearing by the late 1940s, with only one family making much pottery. It was revived in the 1950s largely to the efforts of Bill Beaver, a trader fluent in Navajo, who liked the pottery and worked closely with the potters. Modern Navajo pottery ranges from traditional items to folk art with after-fire acrylic paint to highly polished, beautifully proportioned art pottery by potters like Alice Cling, Elizabeth Manygoats (famous for her horned lizard-adorned vessels), Sue Williams, and Samuel Manymules as well as Lucy McKelvey, Lorraine Williams and Christine Nofchissey McHorse.

Navajo pottery artist Alice Cling came in to our Santa Fe store in early April with several pieces of her work, including this unusual one with a green swirl motif., It Stands 4 inches high and is 7 inches across. $200. (SOLD)

One of Elizabeth Manygoats' great folk art tiles. 4.5 x 5" $75

At left is a wedding vase with yei'ii and cloud motifs by Irene Williams. 7.5" high, $135. At right is a wedding vase by Betty Manygoats' (mother of Elizabeth Manygoats). It is decorated with her famous horned lizard motifs. 7.5" high, SOLD

This heard of horses gallavanting around the interior of the bowl was made by Elizabeth Manygoats. 3 x 8.25" $165

This intricately designed vase with corn and yei'ii designs was made by Kevin Williams, grandson of Rose Williams, the matriarch of Navajo pottery. (There is a photo of Kevin at the top of this gallery!) This tall vessel, which has a square mouth is 10.5" high and $225.

The four vessels above were made by Kevin Williams (top left), who began working in clay at age 7 under the guidance of his grandmother, Rose Williams (top right). His father, Lorenzo Spencer, is also a very fine potter. The wedding vase at left is $185 and stands 9 inches high. The next is 5.5 inches high and $135, while the other two are $110 and $80.

Navajo pottery matriarch Rose Williams made the vessel at right, $160 (SOLD), while her daughter-in-law, Lorraine Williams created the other priced at $225. Both are 9 inches high.