Collecting and Decorating with Native American Pottery

Whether you’re just starting a collection and want entry-level pieces or have a hunger for the real thing but not the pocket book, you have lots of options for finding treasure at a bargain. In this hub, I’ll share some of the tricks I’ve learned as the owner of an art gallery and from decorating my Santa Fe vacation rental. Pottery is definitely one of the things you’ll want if you’re decorating Santa Fe style. Along with Indian jewelry and Navajo rugs, Indian potter is one of my top five reasons to visit Santa Fe.

Ah, the thrill of buying that first piece of authentic Native American pottery and discovering a new passion! Like any new art collector, you may feel overwhelmed by all there is to learn on the subject. There’s also the worry of getting ripped off or buying an outright fake while you’re training your eye. If you’re shopping the art galleries around the Plaza in Santa Fe, you can rest assured the pieces are what they claim to be. The sales staff is usually knowledgeable and equally passionate.

For your first purchase, don’t be afraid to be impulsive. Yes, I’m going to cover ways to find bargains while shopping in Santa Fe, but never forget that art is emotional. If you see a piece of art or pottery that really speaks to you or will bring back good memories every time you look at it, go for it! The emotional connection and the memories are beyond price. If you’re going to start collecting, however...

Arm Yourself with Knowledge

You can learn about your new passion by a) visiting art galleries and asking lots of questions, or b) meeting fellow Native American art enthusiasts, or c) reading. I suggest doing all three. For reading, there’s a lot of information online but it’s hard to beat a good book for a lot of reasons.

Why Books vs. the Internet?

• Books can be more reliable and comprehensive.
• The information is organized better for in depth and repeated study.
• AND hardcover books with beautiful jackets will complement your collection!

See the Side Bar for a few of My Top Picks --->

This is the best way to stretch your collecting dollars. Plus, creating vignettes can make any collection more interesting. Since you’ll want items of various heights, shapes, and textures, books help pull that off in a number of ways. They also fill space and can make a small number of items look more impressive.

Stack a few books to elevate one or two objects in your collection. This gives weight to the grouping, helps connect the items, and allows you to get more varity of height.

Stand books on end to fill out a small collection. Or place a book face out behind or beside the grouping. A large, impressive book will take up space in a display case and create visual interest. A book with a stunning photo of a pot on the cover costs a fraction of an actual pot, but it brings some of the same design sensibility into your room. Mixing books with your collection also provides quick, unobtrusive information for guests to your home—like tags in a museum display.

1) Visit the pueblos. You’ll often find work by lesser known but wonderfully talented Indian artists. Plus, you get the thrill of buying the pot in the setting where it was made directly from the people who are keeping the craft alive.

Excellent books for learning about the pueblos before you get there--->
Even paperback guide books can become part of your vignette to help tell the story of where you found parts of your collection. A very inexpensive way to add interest and fill up space.

2) Hit the consignment stores and yard sales. Santa Fe is a Mecca for this type of shopping. Go to Google and type in “consignment store santa fe” and you’ll see what I mean. If you’re in Santa Fe in the summer, pick up a paper and check out the yard sales. True Story: When I was decorating my Santa Fe vacation rental, I stropped at a yard sale and spotted a whole table FILLED with katchinas and small pots. My eyes popped open and I picked up three small katchinas and two pots to examine them and realized that, yes, they were the real deal. Thank goodness I had them in my hands because the woman who arrive a few seconds before me said, “I’ll take all of them.” Meaning everything I wasn’t holding. Dang it! If I’d only picked up more pieces before she said that! Still, I was thrilled with what I bought. I think I paid a grand total of $25. For 3 katchinas and two Acoma pots. They were more gift shop quality than gallery quality, but what a bargain!

Again, do your research starting with the books I’ve listed. Armed with knowledge, you can take advantage of opportunity when it drops in front of you.

Final Note

Never forget that buying Native America pottery is like any art purchase, you have to find your own balance between your heart’s desire and your pocket book. If you see a piece you like but it’s out of your price range, don’t be afraid to negotiate, even in a downtown gallery. How and where you buy a piece becomes part of the story behind it. So, come join the treasure hunt!

If you enjoyed this hub, check out my other hubs on Santa Fe.