Navajo Pottery
Browse beautiful traditional Navajo pottery online with Cameron Trading Post. Using the basics of the early pieces and improving the shape, thickness, and firing methods, Navajo artists still use the pine pitch to create a beautiful dark brown pottery with smoky whorls of black and red. Other Navajo innovators have adapted the thick walled pitch covered vessel by painting them with traditional religious images and symbols have created a unique and beautiful art form. Other artists have pioneered a hand etched pre-formed pottery vessel using beautiful pastel colors and fine hand etched designs. Most recently a beautiful and artistic innovation in pottery has been to use strands of horsehair in the firing to create vessels with whimsical scribbles of black lines accented by smoky shadows.
Have questions about our Navajo pottery? Please contact Cameron Trading Post at (800) 338-7385 or contact us here for all inquiries. We have proudly provided quality Navajo pottery art since we first opened our doors in 1916.
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Shop Authentic Navajo Pottery Online
Each Navajo pottery piece you’ll find in our store is a one-of-a-kind piece specially crafted by a talented local artist. Our Navajo pottery pieces include wood grain finish pieces with etchings of animals, birds, rock formations, and traditional designs, sand painted pottery pieces, wedding vases, and miniature pottery pieces. Whether you’re looking for a meaningful gift for a loved one, or you are an avid collector of Navajo or Southwestern pottery, Cameron Trading Post will help you find the special piece you’re looking for.
Note that each pottery piece listed here will have the dimensions and materials used notated in their descriptions. If you want to take a look at all our pottery, please see our main Native American pottery page.
The History of Navajo Pottery
The Navajo people, being a semi-nomadic tribe did not develop the art of pottery making until very recent times. Navajo vessels were traditionally heavy and very plain, made primarily for temporary use in water storage and for drums. Navajo pottery vases were tall and almost straight walled except for a light curve. Fired at low temperatures, they were not suitable for holding water and so were coated inside and out with a thick layer of pinon pitch. Drums were made from these vessels by filling them with a certain amount of water for tone and then stretching a hide over the mouth and tightening it.
But in the last 25 years, the ever-innovative Navajo have begun a fine tradition in artistic pottery. Building on the foundation of traditional forms and techniques, contemporary Navajo pottery has evolved into a celebrated art form. Artists now incorporate fine etchings, vibrant colors, and even strands of horsehair during the firing process, creating stunning pieces that are both artistic and functional.
About Navajo Sand Painted Pottery
Navajo sand-painted pottery represents a perfect fusion of the tribe’s pottery traditions with their spiritual practices. Inspired by the ancient art of sand painting, which is used in healing ceremonies, these pots are adorned with sacred symbols and images. Using a variety of naturally colored sands, artisans skillfully create intricate designs on the surface of the pottery. These sandpainting designs often depict elements of Navajo spirituality and traditions, including representations of deities, animals, and natural forces.
This type of pottery serves as more than just a decorative item — it carries deep spiritual significance. Each symbol tells a story, reflecting the beliefs and customs of the Navajo people. Sand-painted pottery offers collectors a beautiful, meaningful way to engage with Navajo culture, making it one of the most sought-after forms of Southwestern art.
Shop Navajo Pottery with Cameron Trading Post!
Since 1916, Cameron Trading Post has been a trusted local and online source for authentic Native American art, including stunning Navajo pottery. We pride ourselves on offering a wide range of pieces, from traditional hand-coiled vessels coated in pinon pitch to contemporary innovations featuring horsehair designs and sand-painted motifs. Each piece is crafted by talented Navajo artisans, ensuring you receive not only a beautiful work of art but also a piece of Navajo heritage.
Shopping with Cameron Trading Post means you are supporting Indigenous artists and their communities. Our long-standing relationships with Navajo potters allow us to bring you an incredible selection of pottery, whether you’re a collector looking for a specific style or simply seeking a meaningful addition to your home. With over a century of experience, Cameron Trading Post remains committed to preserving and sharing the artistic traditions of the Navajo and Southwestern peoples. Explore our collection today and discover the timeless beauty of Navajo pottery!