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Pottery type
San Ildefonso Black-on-Black Pottery
San Ildefonso Black-on-Black1900 – Present A.D.Historic Pueblo Pottery (AD 1600-Present)Key facts
- Age
- 1900 – Present A.D.
- Cultural period
- Historic Pueblo Pottery (AD 1600-Present)
- Material
- Fine mineral-tempered clay, slipped with a refined clay mixture, stone-polished, then painted with a matte pigment. Reducing firing produces the characteristic black color.
More from the Historic period
Description
San Ildefonso Black on Black is a historic Pueblo ceramic tradition made famous in the early 20th century. Vessels are fired in a reducing atmosphere to achieve a polished black surface, with matte black painted designs creating a tone-on-tone contrast. Forms include bowls, jars, water jars, and wide-shouldered vessels.
Size
Bowls typically measure 14–26 cm in diameter; jars 18–32 cm tall. Walls average 3–6 mm.
Distribution
Produced at San Ildefonso Pueblo with distribution throughout New Mexico and into global art markets.
Mainly found in
Additional information
Though modern in its perfected form, the style is based on older Tewa ceramic traditions. It remains one of the most iconic Pueblo pottery styles.