Tohono O'odham Polychrome Pottery Making Study

Tohono O'odham Polychrome Pottery Making Study

Photographs from the Tohono O'odham pottery making process, as photographed by Helga Teiwes.

On June 2nd through 6th, 1980, Helga Teiwes visited Hickiwan Village, Tohono O'odham Indian Reservation, Arizona. It was there that she documented Rupert Angea creating several polychrome pots. The process was documented from the gathering of supplies for the actual pot to the gathering of the materials for the creation of the paint. The polychrome pots that were created were donated to the Arizona State Museum.

About the Photographer

Helga Teiwes worked for the Arizona State Museum from 1964-1993, documenting Southwest American Indian culture and arts, archaeological excavations, and the Museum's collections. Her photographs have appeared nationally and internationally in numerous exhibitions and publications.

Items in Collection: 
Rolling up the last of the clay
Community
Photograph Collection, Tohono O'Odham Nation
Category
Pottery and Basketry
Summary
Tohono O'odham polychrome pottery making study with Rupert Angea by Helga Teiwes.
Separating the hematite
Community
Photograph Collection, Tohono O'Odham Nation
Category
Pottery and Basketry
Summary
Tohono O'odham polychrome pottery making study with Rupert Angea by Helga Teiwes.
Fine pigment being separated
Community
Photograph Collection, Tohono O'Odham Nation
Category
Pottery and Basketry
Summary
Tohono O'odham polychrome pottery making study with Rupert Angea by Helga Teiwes.
Polishing the dried pots
Community
Tohono O'Odham Nation
Category
Pottery and Basketry
Summary
Tohono O'odham polychrome pottery making study with Rupert Angea by Helga Teiwes.
Polishing the paint
Community
Photograph Collection, Tohono O'Odham Nation
Category
Pottery and Basketry
Summary
Tohono O'odham polychrome pottery making study with Rupert Angea by Helga Teiwes.
Using fingernail to mark pot
Community
Photograph Collection, Tohono O'Odham Nation
Category
Pottery and Basketry
Summary
Tohono O'odham polychrome pottery making study with Rupert Angea by Helga Teiwes.
Painting four equally spaced marks
Community
Photograph Collection, Tohono O'Odham Nation
Category
Pottery and Basketry
Summary
Tohono O'odham polychrome pottery making study with Rupert Angea by Helga Teiwes.
Extending the marks down the pot
Community
Photograph Collection, Tohono O'Odham Nation
Category
Pottery and Basketry
Summary
Tohono O'odham polychrome pottery making study with Rupert Angea by Helga Teiwes.
Beginning of day, June 5th
Community
Photograph Collection, Tohono O'Odham Nation
Category
Pottery and Basketry
Summary
Tohono O'odham polychrome pottery making study with Rupert Angea by Helga Teiwes.
Fixing small cracks
Community
Photograph Collection, Tohono O'Odham Nation
Category
Pottery and Basketry
Summary
Tohono O'odham polychrome pottery making study with Rupert Angea by Helga Teiwes.
Painting the red design in
Community
Photograph Collection, Tohono O'Odham Nation
Category
Pottery and Basketry
Summary
Tohono O'odham polychrome pottery making study with Rupert Angea by Helga Teiwes.
Pots at the beginning of the day, June 5th
Community
Photograph Collection, Tohono O'Odham Nation
Category
Pottery and Basketry
Summary
Tohono O'odham polychrome pottery making study with Rupert Angea by Helga Teiwes.
Screen cleaning
Community
Photograph Collection, Tohono O'Odham Nation
Category
Pottery and Basketry
Summary
Tohono O'odham polychrome pottery making study with Rupert Angea by Helga Teiwes.
Starting the base
Community
Photograph Collection, Tohono O'Odham Nation
Category
Pottery and Basketry
Summary
Tohono O'odham polychrome pottery making study with Rupert Angea by Helga Teiwes.
Beginning of red design
Community
Photograph Collection, Tohono O'Odham Nation
Category
Pottery and Basketry
Summary
Tohono O'odham polychrome pottery making study with Rupert Angea by Helga Teiwes.
Similar techinque of marking four spots
Community
Photograph Collection, Tohono O'Odham Nation
Category
Pottery and Basketry
Summary
Tohono O'odham polychrome pottery making study with Rupert Angea by Helga Teiwes.
Use of eight evenly spaced lines to start design
Community
Photograph Collection, Tohono O'Odham Nation
Category
Pottery and Basketry
Summary
Tohono O'odham polychrome pottery making study with Rupert Angea by Helga Teiwes.
Beginning of the red step design
Community
Photograph Collection, Tohono O'Odham Nation
Category
Pottery and Basketry
Summary
Tohono O'odham polychrome pottery making study with Rupert Angea by Helga Teiwes.
First red line
Community
Photograph Collection, Tohono O'Odham Nation
Category
Pottery and Basketry
Summary
Tohono O'odham polychrome pottery making study with Rupert Angea by Helga Teiwes.
Contemplating the design
Community
Photograph Collection, Tohono O'Odham Nation
Category
Pottery and Basketry
Summary
Tohono O'odham polychrome pottery making study with Rupert Angea by Helga Teiwes.
Polishing the red step outline
Community
Photograph Collection, Tohono O'Odham Nation
Category
Pottery and Basketry
Summary
Tohono O'odham polychrome pottery making study with Rupert Angea by Helga Teiwes.
Filling in the red design
Community
Photograph Collection, Tohono O'Odham Nation
Category
Pottery and Basketry
Summary
Tohono O'odham polychrome pottery making study with Rupert Angea by Helga Teiwes.
Polishing of filled in red step design
Community
Photograph Collection, Tohono O'Odham Nation
Category
Pottery and Basketry
Summary
Tohono O'odham polychrome pottery making study with Rupert Angea by Helga Teiwes.
Continuing to fill in red step design
Community
Photograph Collection, Tohono O'Odham Nation
Category
Pottery and Basketry
Summary
Tohono O'odham polychrome pottery making study with Rupert Angea by Helga Teiwes.