Stephen Sell on sat 18 jan 97
The GunMetal finish I'm refering to is not a glaze... but rather a (pit)
firing process of a burnished (Terra Sig ?) pot. I have several books on
Maria Martinez / Popovi Da's work which includes pictures of this finish. It
almost looks chrome in surface. The pot I've seen firsthand is definalty not
a glaze. There seem's to be quite a mystery surrounding this finish.
Stephen Sell / Pittsburgh
"For every lie I unlearn, I learn something new." Ani Difranco
John Guerin on sun 19 jan 97
In a message dated 97-01-18 18:08:43 EST, you write:
<< The GunMetal finish I'm refering to is not a glaze... but rather a (pit)
firing process of a burnished (Terra Sig ?) pot. I have several books on
Maria Martinez / Popovi Da's work which includes pictures of this finish. It
almost looks chrome in surface. The pot I've seen firsthand is definalty not
a glaze. There seem's to be quite a mystery surrounding this finish.
Stephen Sell / Pittsburgh >>
The Maria Martinez blackware is the reduction firing of a highly
stone-polished surface. San Ildefonso potters use a red slip on their pots
because the high iron content of the red clay gives the darkest black finish.
Several layers of red slip are applied to a bone-dry pot and polishing is
begun with a very smooth polishing stone. However the slip dries quickly
having been applied to the bone-dry pot. As soon as the stone starts to
scratch the surface, a coating of grease is applied to the surface to provide
the lubrication necessary to continue the stone polishing. When I studied
with a San Ildefonso potter they told me the white grease they gave me to
apply was Bear Grease, however it was very much like the white grease a
Maricopa potter gave me to use and they admitted it was Crisco.
Then during the firing, shortly after the fuel ( usually grass-fed cow dung)
is lit, the fire is smothered with powdered horse manure. The high carbon
content of the horse manure also adds to the dark reduction color. They ever
cover the powdered horse manure with a layer of old ashes to insure a best
"reduction invironment" for the pots. Then if your pots are not shiney
enough after they come out of the firing, you can use an old indian trick
taught to me by a Hopi/Tewa potter. Apply a coat of liquid floor wax and buff
when dry with a soft cloth.
John Guerin
Indian Pottery Instructor
Pima College
Tucson,AZ
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