Rose Kerstetter and her Apprentice, Jennifer M. Stevens

Photo courtesy by Martin Photography

www.martinphotography.biz

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An Introduction To Iroquois Pottery: 

Lost Art...Today's Revitalization 

By Jennifer M. Stevens

(Copyright 2009) 

     The basic history of Iroquois pottery is a subject matter that both Rose Kerstetter, my instructor and I found to have very limited resources.  There are books by archeologists, anthropologists, and historians that have wonderful scientific theories and photographs of thousands of designs, but very few books that can give you a full history of Iroquios pottery; the meaning behind the symbolislm and the original techniques such as, handbuilding and firing and designs/symbolism is unfortunately lost amongst the Iroquois.  The reason for this is, the art of Iroquois pottery went into extinction once there was trade activity amongst the the Iroquois, known as the Six Nations(Seneca, Tuscarora, Cayuga, Onondaga, and Mohawk), and the new European settlers-mostly the English, Scottish, German, Dutch, and French.   

     As for most tribes, we pass our culture and history down from one generation to the next-an oral tradition.  With that in mind, records of pottery in many instances is only left in the remaining pottery, shards, and archaeological sites; anthropologists, archeologists, historians, and potters like ourselves have diligently tried to unveil the many mysteries and secrets to.  For example, what did the human effigies-faces and figures represent?  Were they honoring the corn spirit through their art?  We do know that white corn to the Iroquois is one of our major staple foods, besides beans and squash-considered very sacred to us.  It may make sense they honored what the mother earth provided for us to attain our life's sustenance, however there is no written record or explanation that have been documented.  If there is we are very interested in the research.  All in all it leaves for a very active imagination! 

     Through trade, the Iroquois replaced the pottery with metal kettles, mostly made of copper that was more durable and practical-pottery easily cracks and breaks; not to mention takes hours to create since they were hand made, had to dry, and than was fired in a fire pit for hours, vs. mass produced.  Although it was quite common to find evidence of Iroquois pottery and shards, there are artifacts remaining of ceremonial and friendship pipes, bowls, jewelry, and beads made of clay.

     In time, the symbolism of the designs, pottery techniques, tools, and concepts of the pottery was lost.  It wasn't until the 1960s where such potters like; Mohawk potter, Elda Smith, Canada, Seneca-Onondaga potter, Peter B. Jones, New York, and Oneida potter, Rose Kerstetter, Wisconsin, in many instances instinctively researched their ancestral pottery and decided to create handbuilt pottery of their own.  This is the beginnings of the revitalization of this age old technique of handbuilding and creating Iroquois pottery.  All striving to replicate, connect with this organic, intricate, and beautiful earthenware that the Iroquois people once thrived on and used for storing and cooking food.   

     Where as today, Iroquois pottery can be found in major museums mostly on the East Coast, New York State, and on shelves of collectors through out the world. Better yet, being auctioned off in Santa Fe's Indian Market, however, the Iroquois are still striving to build a respect, history, and reputation that the Southwestern potters have thrived on.  As for myself, I didn't know Iroquois made pottery; After meeting Rose Kerstetter in 1999, I was in for a pleasant surprise that has drastically changed my life passing on the tradition of making Iroquois pottery to myself and others. 

     Iroquois pottery has some very distinct characteristics from other pottery; known for its elaborate and decorative collars and shoulders.  The geometric and linear designs were not painted, but etched into the wet clay and some had elaborate carvings and relief sculptures of either animal or human effigies.  Iroquois pottery is famous for its points that is a mystery to many, which we call castellations.  Why did we make them like that?  Other significant characteristics;  the necks of the pots are curved inwards; as most anything to tribes, they did things for the sake of "practical" use and had a function, with the exception they also thrived on aesthetics of form and design;  the necks were designed to make it easier to hold on to the pots and some believe to hang the pots over fires.  However, the pots were still beautiful forms of art in their own right. 

Iroquois pottery is an ancient old art form that was once a part of the Iroquois people's daily  lives.  Although we experienced a 250 year lapse, we are gradually building our own history that we hope will be carried on and shared with many generations to come.  The Iroquois pottery revitalization is alive and well! 

Steps To Making Handbuilt Iroquois Pottery  

(Photos and demonstrations by Jennifer M. Stevens.  Copyright 2009.  Photos for educational purposes-cannot copy photos without permission.)   

Pottery Terms

Castellations:  Points on pot.Collar:  Band on top of pot. Neck:  Curvature below Collar.Shoulder:  Body of pot.Base: Bottom of pot.

Pottery Stages

Stage 1:  Pottery had an oval shaped base-designed to be put in the ground for cooking.  A fire was built around it.

Stage 2:  Pottery had a round base with curvature on the neck of pot to be hung over a fire.

Some theories!