52 AKdKIGINAL POTTERY OF EASTERN UNITED STATES 1eih.ann.20 



and these were preserved and elal)orated. Thus the potters of each 

 coiuimiiiity, each nation, developed their own set of devices for deco- 

 raliiii;', besides ac(iuirino' from associated arts and from mngliboring 

 peoples additional ideas and facilities })y means of which their art was 

 o-radiially enriched. 



Tiie lingers and fingernails were employed to produce many rude 

 eti'ects in relief and in intaglio; tools of many shapes, impro\-ised or 

 manufactured for the purpose, were used; sharp pointed ones to incise, 

 gouge-like forms to exca\'ate, dull suid rounded points to ti'ail, and all 

 the varieties for indented designs. Of kindri'd nature is a species of 

 rude inlaying, which consists of setting into the clay, in patterns, bits 

 of colored mineral, such as mica and (juartz. 



In some sections of the countrj- engraved stamps, which generally 

 took the form of paddles, were used to cover the plastic surface with 

 diaper-like patterns; in others thin disks witli indented or otherwise 

 finished peripheries were rolled bacdc and forth on the plastic surface, 

 producing similar figures. Again, in many phices woven fabrics were 

 api)lied totheclaj', leaving artistic patterns, and cords were impressed 

 to produce ornamental figurt's of textile character. Then again proc- 

 esses of preparing and applying color were known in some sections 

 and extensively employed. Gladys of varying hues were ground and 

 prepared in a li(|uid state to 1)e applied with brushes. The surface 

 was in cases jn'cpared for the color by the addition of a layer or wash 

 of fine paste. No description of the processes of applying the colors 

 has been recorded, ))ut they are probably not unlike tliose practiced 

 in the Puel)lo country today, and may have been borrowed )iy the peo- 

 ple of the lower Arkansas from their Pueblo neighbors or from 

 nations inhabiting the western or southern shores of the Gulf of 



Mexico. 



B,\KiNG Processks 



When completed the utensil was dried in the shade, in the sun, or 

 before the fire, according to the needs of the case or to custom; after- 

 ward it was baked with greater or less thoroughness. The Catawbas. 

 it woidd seem, having excellent (day, found baking ))efore the fire 

 f]uitc sufficient. The Cherokees embedded the Acssel in bark, which 

 was fired, and the vessel came out red-hot. In no section was a very 

 high degree of heat intentionally applied and the paste remained com- 

 paratively soft. The shell material used in tempering was often not 

 calcined, and vitrification I'arely took place. Such traces of vitri- 

 fication as have been oliserved may have been produced long sul)sequent 

 to the original baking. It has often been stated that furnaces pre- 

 jjared for the purpose of firing earthenware have been identified, but 

 it is difficult to sul)st;intiate this belief, as the phenomena observed 

 may b(> due to the use of earthenware in connection with fireplaces or 

 with kilns built for other purposes. 



