one of the things i’d like to do at home is build up my ceramics & glassware collection. i’ve been buying a few knick knacks here and there, which is always a slow process as you tend to find them sporadically (and need to resist the urge to buy an entire collection that you won’t necessarily love years down the line). so when i spotted these colourful marbled pots on Etsy i kind of fell in love, and did a bit of reading up on their origin. found this little piece of Fab.com which explains,
Nemadji pottery is that early 20th century invention that somehow got mixed up with a Native American tribe. The Minnesota-based Nemadji pottery company began manufacturing this colorful, swirled pottery in 1929 and promoted it as being “Indian inspired.” Over the years, advertising became truth in the minds of many, leading to mistaken claims over authentic Native American pottery.
i would probably end up filling my house with these, if only i could get my hands on some locally. you can find them on Etsy and eBay – click on the pictures to be taken to the source (some of them are already sold, unfortunately!)
They are not painted afterwards right? I think that colored clays were molded so that colorful shapes would appear. No?
In Whirl of Inspiration
the colours come naturally from the clay as far as i know.
lovely! I also have growing need for ceramics. Check Linck ceramics from switzerland. You might like them. Unfortunately the website is under construction.
these are so easy to come by where I live (Indiana). It’s nice that they are not that valuable or rare as they are so beautiful!
wow, love these. thanks for sharing!
love them! so natural and beautiful
Oh, these are just beautiful. I love that the colors are all natural. Mama Nature is the most talented artist <3
Wow these are gorgeous! Love them!!
xo Heather
http://ahopelessnotebook.blogspot.com/
these are so unique and organic. I love that they’re semi-Native American! beautiful!
Thankyou for this post! Just beautiful stuff! If you like it, google David Pottinger. He doesn’t have a web presence, but you can find some posts, and some galleries that show his stuff. He’s an amaaaaaazing ceramacist. I bought a little vessel of his last year, and it still feels fresh and new, looking at it every single day.
these are so, so stunning.
Such beautiful colors and forms. This style of pottery is new to me; thank you for introducing me to it!
These are absolutely lovely. I love the swirls of color!
Funny,
I have about four or five pieces that I inherited from my Grandmother. I always thought that they were native too. I’ve had them on display for years because they are so pretty. Now I feel very fashionable – thanks!
these are beautiful!
Thank you for this lovely bit of information! I had never seen any pottery like this before, and I spotted two of these in an antique shop the day after reading this post. Beautiful.
I’m SWOONING! These are absolutely gorgeous. I am going to scour Etsy now!
Thank you so much for including my piece in your post! It went to a new good home :)
Actually, to set the record straight: The distinctive marbleized pattern was hand painted to look like the real thing to market in the tourist trade. They were made to look like natural clay patterns and colors, but alas, they are indeed painted.
Nemadji pottery, or “Indian Pottery” was made in the Arrowhead region of Minnesota starting in the 1920s. While never actually made by American Indians, it was a style of pottery created to be reminiscent of the vessels they made long ago with clay from the Nemadji river. No two are exactly alike, which makes it fun to collect.
I know, it’s confusing!
This reminds me of burl wood. Love, love, love.
these are amazing I’ve never seen such stunning decorative techniques! thanks for sharing!
Bought a lovely piece at a thrift shop. Holding it close to my heart.I am so delighted.