NO. 2235. HOFI INDIAN COLLECTION— HOVGH. 273 



stone forming the mesas and must be dug out and carried to the vil- 

 lage with considerable effort. Several varieties of clays whose quali- 

 ties are knoAvn to the potter are found in the various strata of the 

 cliif. These form the basis of the ordinary ware made in the pueblo 

 of Walpi. Very fine clay, which was used by the ancient potters, is 

 taken from the mesa near Sikyatki. This clay is used for very fine 

 work by one or two of the Walpi potters. White clay of the proper 

 quality for washing the surface of vessels is found in this locality, 

 the source of the material being near one of the buttes south of the 

 villages. This kaolin is only used to produce a finish on ware made 

 from the coarser local clays. The body of the ware is a paste, made 

 by mixing two of the local clays in about equal portions. The mate- 

 rial is fi'eed from stones and sand and placed in a bowl and soaked 

 with water. When it has been softened and a portion of it is de- 

 sired for use, it is removed to a smooth stone slab and carefully 

 spread out. During this process some of the moisture of the clay is 

 absorbed in the stone and some dried out by the air, and in a short 

 time it approaches readiness for use. After a course of rolling and 

 kneading, it is in proper condition. In case the clay has too much 

 moisture, it is spread out on a stone slab which is later leaned up in 

 a slanting position in the sun. It will be observed also that no temper 

 is mixed with the paste. In forming the vessels the clay is taken be- 

 tween the two hands and molded evenly into a long cylindrical mass. 

 This is wound spirally at the beginning; other similar rope-like 

 masses are added until the work is completed. During the process 

 these coils are pressed together and a vessel of comparatively 

 smooth surface is a result.^ In large vessels this process can 

 only go on for a few inches at a time as the softness of the 

 clay will not bear up under the weight of the structure. Generally 

 several vessels are under process at the same time. Larger vessels 

 are begun on a concave disk of pottery which admits of the work be- 

 ing turned about with facility. When the vessel is firm though still 

 " green," the surface is gone over with a smooth stone carefully ap- 

 plied with a brushing, rubbing motion, removing all irregularities 

 to bring it to a smooth polished surface. When the vessel is dry a 

 wash of white clay is applied and this in turn is rubbed down with 

 a polished stone. The vessel is now ready for decoration. Material 

 has been prepared for paints by rubbing yellow ochre and dark 

 brown ironstone on a stone slab. Yellow ochre is mixed with water 

 as a medium and burns a bright red on the ware. The ironstone is 

 usually ground with oil made from the seeds of the tansy mustard. 

 This paint burns dark brown. The colors are applied with simple 



1 See Zunl potters group. 

 3343— 19— Proc.N.M.vol.54 19 



