Horsehair Pottery

At Kachina House we carry a vast selection of Native American Horsehair ceramic pottery, handmade by artists from various tribes. Crafted and accented with natural materials we offer unique objects of art and craft.

This style of pottery lends itself to figures as well as the classical pot shapes. Ceramic pottery is beautiful and collectible. Because the potter does not hand build each pot, instead opting for a pot that comes from a mold, there is more time to spend on the etching and painting. Etching and painting techniques have improved over time and the cost of this type of pottery is less than hand-built or hand-coiled pots.

The ancient Indian tribes made this pottery to honor a favorite horse or to celebrate the birth of a horse. It is said that this pottery was first created when a long-haired maiden was removing hot pottery from her kiln and the wind blew her hair onto the hot pot and burned the hair into the pottery. The pottery is poured, then fired for a period of time after which it is removed from the kiln, and hair from the mane and the tail of a horse are applied to the hot pottery. The hair creates the dark lines and the smoke from the burning hair creates the cloudy grey areas. The pottery is then returned to the kiln where firing is completed. The pottery is removed from the kiln, etched and spray-glazed. Each piece of pottery comes with a certificate of authenticity which certifies that the pottery has been handcrafted by a Native American Indian artist. Our horsehair pottery is created in Arizona and New Mexico by several potters.

Relative to the painted Horsehair pottery, the air-dried ceramic clay pot is painted on a wheel using a damp sponge and commercial paints. While the clay is still soft, designs are incised through the paint layer into the pot. This type of etching is called Sgraffitto. Etched art is done on either red terracotta clay or white gypsum clay and after being fired in a kiln, the resulting design shows the bright white (gypsum) background seen on the various pieces. Navajo pots have the most variety in etching and use symbols for mountains, rain, wings, arrows clouds, staircase of life or altar, prayer feathers, whirlwinds, plants, bear paw, corn, water, lightning, handprints, kachinas, animals, friendship and migration as well as many others. Their etching is beautifully done and each symbol is a prayer to the Great Spirit.

Please note that the photos shown in this section are examples ONLY. Each piece is hand finished and etching will be different from that shown. Animals and figures may or may not be etched.

Kachina House is the largest distributor of Native American arts and crafts in Arizona. At our showroom/warehouse in Sedona, AZ, you will find more products on display than we can post on our website. Our products are high-quality and handcrafted; we pride ourselves on offering unique products and the best customer service. If you have questions, we urge you to call us toll free at 800-304-3290 or drop us an email. We always like to hear from our customers.