What did Native Americans use pinch pots for?

Some historians believe that the first pottery made by Native Americans can be dated to about 3,500 B.C.E. These pieces were primarily functional containers for storing food or water . As the craft evolved, more elaborate and decorative pieces were created for ceremonial purposes.

What are some historical facts about the pinch pot?

Pinch pots that date back over 17,000 years have been discovered in China . At some point, the practice that started as a necessity—making an object to hold food or water—turned into the foundations of creating ornate vessels, and later, the basis for learning to manipulate clay.

What are the learning objectives of pinch pot?

Learning Objectives Describe what pinch pots are, and how they are used. Explain the various steps involved in making pinch pots. Craft pinch pots out of clay.

What is the meaning of pinch pot?

A pinch pot is a simple form of hand-made pottery produced from ancient times to the present . The pinching method is to create pottery that can be ornamental or functional, and has been widely employed across culture.

How can you tell if Native American pottery is real?

Most pueblo pottery should “ring” when tapped with your knuckle . If the pot “clanks,” it's more than likely cracked, even though you may not be able to see the crack clearly. 4. Design lines should be clean, sharp and fairly unique, but not too clean and sharp (indicating they are, in fact, painted by hand).

Why is pottery important to Native Americans?

Some pottery was used in daily life to make, store, and serve food . Containers were also used during rituals, as gifts for the deceased, and in political events.

Did Native Americans make pinch pots?

A pinch pot is a traditional clay handbuilding technique that has been used for thousands of years. Initially, hand-built vessels were made solely for utilitarian purposes, with little consideration for artistry.

What is the key to success when making a pinch pot?

The key to success lies in controlling the turning rhythm while keeping the amount of pressure even for each pinch . Practice: Pinch Pot To make a basic pinch pot, take a lump of clay about the size of a lemon.

What do you use pinch bowls for?

Designed to hold a small pile of salt, pepper, or any spice that can effectively be “pinched” and sprinkled atop a dish , it can alternatively be used as a holder for things that can be dipped into or poured (olive oil, hummus). In other words, these small basins are mealtime's unexpected heroes.

What did Native Americans use for cooking pots?

Many native peoples used similar cookware made from thick pottery rather than cast iron. Instead of using coals, they would surround their cookware with hot stones that were so hot in fact that they were known to break in half during the heating process.

What were Navajo pots used for?

The Navajo Indians, 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 .

Inspirational Pinch Pot Artists: Exploring the Works of Masters

Pinch pottery is one of the popular hand-building techniques experimented on by experienced and beginner artists alike. While it’s an ideal pottery technique for pottery enthusiasts who wish to explore the pottery world, it can also be used in sync with other pottery techniques to create something beautiful. But, where would you draw your inspiration from? Who should you follow or get inspired from when learning pinch pottery? Here is a list of some inspirational pinch pot artists to help you tread on a guided pottery-making journey!

Table of Contents

Top Pinch Pot Artists To Draw Inspiration From

1. Ingrid Bathe:

Based in Maine, Ingrid Bathe started her journey as a pottery artist after earning a bachelor’s degree in Fine Arts followed by a master’s degree in Ceramics from Ohio University. Apart from incorporating the pinch pottery technique into her artwork, she also adds paper fiber to her clay mixture to create a unique texture. This unique method adds strength to the clay in the greenware state to ensure stability in the shape. However, it soon burns out after firing which doesn’t impact the final quality of the artwork.

With the help of pinch pottery, Ingrid crafts fully functional and sturdy vessels that include vases, bowls, platters, cups, etc. Her pieces are top-notch in terms of quality featuring a robust look as they are fired at temperatures that go as high as 2150^oF.

2. David Eichelberger:

Born in Virginia, David Eichelberger is a popular ceramic artist who specializes in pinch pottery. His artwork focuses on integrating functionality and form to everyday use objects while maintaining a sense of elegance in each piece crafted. He works as a studio artist and is also the co-owner of Vermont-based Two-One Ceramics.

3. Lindsay Klix:

Lindsay Klix started her journey as a pottery artist in 1998 after being motivated by her local college tutor to partake in ceramic classes. And ever since then, pottery has become Lindsay’s life. Based in Illinois, she owns the brand Off Your Rocker Pottery where she sells her artwork which includes Dark Stoneware, White Stoneware, and Heritage Collection.

All of Lindsay’s pottery techniques involve hand-building, a lot of which includes pinch pottery as well. Her masterpieces include vases, vessels, and dinner sets. As an artist, Lindsay focuses more on creating pieces that are highly functional and can be used daily. Not just that, she also focuses on reducing the impact on the environment by reusing old items and thereby reducing waste which tends to be detrimental to the environment. Her artwork in the dinnerware range often features curved sides while others feature pinched seams to help create a distinctive look.

4. Sara Flynn:

After getting trained at Crawford College in the art of ceramic design, Sara Flynn started producing small yet functional pots with the help of the pinch pottery technique. Her artwork consists of a rich color spectrum that ranges from subtle whites to cool and rich colors. Additionally, her artwork has also been seen to include hints of green, yellow, blue, and pink.

Not just that, her exceptional artwork has been featured in several private and public collections both nationally and internationally. Sara exclusively works with porcelain and has also been awarded for her contribution to the art world. If you are inspired by Sara and wish to explore pinch pottery with porcelain clay and don’t own a kiln, the Sculpey Air-Dry White Porcelain Clay is something you should invest in. This clay is best for beginners, doesn’t require kiln firing, and is ideal for detailed work.

5. Lynda Draper:

A popular artist hailing from Sydney, Australia, Lynda Draper is a highly qualified visual artist who works primarily with ceramics. After completing her Master of Fine Arts degree in ceramics from Sydney’s National Art School, she started her journey as a pottery artist and has more than 35 years of experience with several of her exceptional pieces that date back to 1987.

Currently, she serves as the Head Of Ceramics at the Sydney-based National School Of Art. From 1987 to 2005, her work primarily included the use of pinch pottery techniques after which she started using this technique on porcelain clay to get the best results in terms of usage and aesthetics. Her use of glazes and underglazes delivers exceptional results in terms of texture and appearance that look strikingly similar to paper mache.

6. Vicki Grima:

Vicki Grima, an artist based in Sydney, Australia, prefers to craft small pinch pots and often immerses herself completely in the process. She relies on her sense of touch to skillfully craft her pieces with the help of pinch pottery and other hand-building techniques. For Vicki, pottery is no less than meditation. She serves as an executive officer at the Australian Ceramics Association. Additionally, she also holds an esteemed position as the Editor for the Journal Of Australian Ceramics.

The artist is popular for her work with porcelain and loves to add a unique dimension to her artwork by pressing organic materials such as sticks, shells, or corals on the surface of her pottery work. Vicki has recently dived into wood firing for ceramics that helps create unpredictable yet beautiful shades and tones to her ceramics making her work more aesthetic.

Conclusion

Following these artists and drawing inspiration from their artwork can massively boost the way you create your masterpieces with the pinch pottery technique. Remember to experiment with other hand-building techniques like coiling to create something unique. Inspired by these artists, you can easily bridge the gap between your creativity and the vast world of pinch pottery. Even if your first piece isn’t a success, commitment to the art will take you far helping you create something meaningful and remarkable at the same time.

Inspirational Pinch Pot Artists: Exploring the Works of Masters - Spinning Pots (2024)