Of the 2,500 types of Southwestern pottery identified by
archaeologists virtually all are Native American. It is also
clear that the development of pottery in Hispanic villages of
New Mexico has been prevalent for centuries and that cross
cultural borrowing took place with the indigenous
population.Utilitarian micaceous pottery was first exhibited at
Spanish Market in 1992. This pottery is hand formed by the coil
method using material gathered from ancient micaceous clay pits
in northern New Mexico. [pictured: micaceous clay pot by Debbie
Carrillo] After thorough drying, the vessels are buffed with
sandstone, painstakingly burnished with a smooth stone, then
fired outdoors over wood. The fine black lines result from the
artisan’s careful application of horsehair to the smoldering
vessel. Gray or black “Fireclouds” are produced when burning
embers fall against the pottery. This ware can be used for
cooking and serving food or purely for decoration.