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: 
Blackened bark of mesquite tree
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 black design with red triangles
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.
Black scroll work being applied
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.
Black step design being applied
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.
Continued application of the black 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.
Screening through cupped hands
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.
Vessel wall being thinned with paddle
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.
Examining the black 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.
Communal cooking area
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.
Working under the ramada
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 black on the last of the pots
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.
Blackening of the rim
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 a quail
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.
Some bark has already been removed
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.
Measuring to space the three quails
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.
Finishing the quail
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 another quail
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 paddle the wall
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 finger to blacken rim
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.
Darkening of the black 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.
Only one side has been darkened
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.
Rotating the pot in the coals
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.
Removing another pot from the coals
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.
Two pots
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.