Micaceous Pottery

Micaceous Clay Pottery

Featuring work by Taos Pueblo/Southern Ute master potter Karen Cordova; Myrtle Cata of San Felipe and San Juan Pueblos; Marcella and Emma Yepa of Jemez Pueblo; Phogeh Povi of San Juan Pueblo; Jennifer Tse-Pe of San Ildefonso Pueblo; Glen Gomes of Taos and Pojoaque Pueblos; Allen Lasiloo of Zuni Pueblo; George Gonzales of Taos Pueblo, and Ignacia Duran of Tesuque Pueblo.

We believe that micaceous pottery offers the greatest potential for increased popularity and collecting by those who appreciate Native American pottery. It's 'discovery' is only a matter of time. To learn more about the wonderful work being done by potters working with micaceous clay read "All That Glitters" by Duane Anderson or contact the Indian Arts Research Center. To read an excerpt from Duane Anderson's book, click here.

Myrtle Cata created these very fine micaceous pots. She is a full-blooded Native American; a member of the Turquoise Clan; and part of the San Felipe and San Juan Pueblos. She has been an active potter since 1979 and is principally self-taught.

At left, top, is a beautiful medium size micaceous melon pot that measures 5.5 inches tall by 8 inches wide. Myrtle hand pushes her melon pots as Juanita Fragua of Jemez pueblo does. There are few potters today who have the skill to do this technique well. This pot is an example of the melon pot genre, great shape and measuring 5 inches tall by 5 inches wide. Your price $145 ~ Item #MIC314.

The swirl pot at right, above, measures 7 inches tall by 5.5 inches wide. Your price $175 ~ MIC317

Myrtle specializes in contemporary hand coiled San Juan style pottery although a Santa Clara Pueblo influence can be seen in some pieces undoubtedly the result of her good friendship with Tina Garcia of Santa Clara. They often shared their special techniques and learned each other's methods of working with clay. Her pottery style is simple in appearance, graceful, and undecorated. She gathers her clay within the San Juan Pueblo, hand coils her pots and fires them outdoors in the traditional way.

At left is a melon vase by Myrtle. It measures 7 inches tall by 5.5 inches wide. Your price $195 ~ #MIC211

Myrtle has been given awards for her work at the Santa Fe Indian Market, the New Mexico State Fair, and the Gallup Inter-Tribal Ceremonials at which she consecutively placed first for two years.

At right, is a beautiful swirl pot by Myrtle measuring 10 inches tall by 7.5 inches wide. A very pure, sensual form with excellent technique and finish. Your price $475 ~ Item #MIC311

Myrtle's work is included in Gregory Schaaf's books "Southern Pueblo Pottery: 2000Artist Biographies" and "Pueblo Indian Pottery 750Artist Biographies"as well as in Hayes & Blom's book "Southwestern Pottery: Anasazi to Zuni".

At bottom, left, is one of Myrtle's most spectacular works. It's a beautiful swirl pot of substantial proportions measuring 9.5 inches tall by 11 inches wide. Because of personal and health issues, Myrtle is producing very few pieces and most traders and dealers are unable to purchase any new pieces from her. She is one of the best and definitely the most affordable of micaceous potters. A micaceous pot of this quality and size would be priced at $1,200 to $1,800 by other potters working in this medium so this is a real opportunity that may be a very rare offering in the future. Your price $895 ~ Item # MIC210. Click here to see an enlargement.

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How to make a Purchase

George Gonzales has been making pottery for 25 years and produces some of the nicest, award-winning (New Mexico State Fair) micaceous pottery in New Mexico. He was born into the Pueblo of Taos and usually makes his pottery in collaboration with his wife, Percie Chinanna, who is from Jemez Pueblo. He is particularly well-know for his bean pots.

At top, left is a beautiful micaceous vase with incised design on the shoulder. It measures 8inches tall by 6 inches wide. Your price $225 ~ Item #MIC334. Click here to see an enlargement.

At right is a large, simple vase with perfect shape measuring 12 inches tall by 8.5 inches wide. Your cost $425 ~ Item #MIC335. Click here to see an enlargement.

"With my hands I take my Mother Earth and give her shape. The heat from my Father, the sun, gives her life and the rainbow of my New Mexico sunset gives color to her child. Every piece I make is a piece not taken away but placed in my life and with the blessing of the Great Spirit I live." says George Gonzales. "The clay tells you what it wants you to do with it.You create the shape with each coil. It is more personal when you make a pot that can sit on its own without any decoration. Then you have something,"

At left is another perfect micaceous vase measuring 12 inches tall by 8.5 inches wide. This vase includes a spirit circle on the should with tradition circle break so that the spirit of the pot is not trapped. Your price $475 ~ Item #MIC336. Click here to see an enlargement.

These are some excellent examples of George's work in micaceous clay. He loves his work and takes great pleasure in creating these pots and selling them at very affordable costs which makes them an ideal addition to anyone's collection. Although micaceous pots can be made for use in cooking these pots are not recommended for that use.

At right is a simple yet eloquent vase of micaceous clay measuring 8 inches tall by 6 inches wide. Your price $160 ~ Item #MIC333.

At left is a cute salsa bowl with lid measuring 3.75 inches tall by 4.75 inches wide. Your price $75 ~ Item #MIC337.

The lidded pot, at right measures 5 inches tall by 5.5 inches wide. Your price $110 ~ Item #MIC316 Only one image.

The micaceous pot at left, bottom measures 9.25 inches tall by 8.5 inches wide with some beautiful smoke clouds for both character and further proof of its authentic traditional creation using an open wood fire. Your price $175 ~ Item #MIC175. Click here to see an enlargement. SOLD

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