NAVAJO POTTERY NATIVITY BY NINA MALONE

Description

Lovely Nativity hand crafted by Navajo artist, Nina Malone.  The figures in the scene are considered to be “mud toys”.  Each piece is individually formed by hand and painted.  Mud toys are often sun baked and not fired like traditional pottery.  Originally mud toys were made by children, but they were phased out by the 1940’s. Signed

1  5/8” tall x 3  1/16” long x 2  1/16” wide

Artist card included

Although Navajo potters learned the art of pottery making from the Pueblo people, they have developed their own distinctive pottery style.  Traditionally, Navajo pottery had little or no design.  The beauty of the clay and the markings, or fire clouds, from firing, was showcased.  Currently, Navajo pottery is not confined to traditional techniques and Navajo potters are experiencing new and creative approaches.  Some traditionally designed, some etched or painted brightly, and some thrown in the fire with horse hair, but melted pinon pitch should be applied on Navajo pottery to give it a glossy finish.

Additional information