Redware Pot by Dolly Naranjo Smith

Created by the talented hands of Dolly Naranjo Smith, this redware pot has an almost mirror-like finish. Originating from Santa Clara, Dolly was once featured on Mister Rogers' Neighborhood and caught him the handbuilding techniques she would have used to create this little pot. This pot's reflective finish has come from a pre-firing technique called burnishing, something many Santa Clara potters use to finish their work. Rocks, spoons, or other hard, smooth surfaces are used to repeatedly rub over the surface of the pot, slowly compressing the clay. This technique results in the clay becoming dense and shiney, and may have been used as a method to make the pots watertight before fluxing silica glazes were invented. Dolly's pot also features some beautiful carbon staining from the firing process.

This pot has the original receipt, as well as a note dating when it was bought from the original owner inside.

H. 2 ½"; W. 4 ¼"