The Catawba Indian's greatest legacy is its pottery. Their style is a simple, elegant style that is recognizable by those who are generally familiar with pottery.
In James H. Merrell's book The Catawbas he states, "The Catawba women who continue to make pottery using the traditional techniques are an ongoing link with the tribe's past. They ensure that Catawba pottery will remain the oldest art form still produced in South Carolina." (Merrell, 1989)
In James H. Merrell's book The Catawbas he states, "The Catawba women who continue to make pottery using the traditional techniques are an ongoing link with the tribe's past. They ensure that Catawba pottery will remain the oldest art form still produced in South Carolina." (Merrell, 1989)
How Is Catawba Potter Made?
Catawba Indians make their pottery by digging clay from pits along the Catawba River.
First: The clay is cleaned
Second: The clay is ground into a very fine powder to eliminate gritiness from the final product.
Third: Water is added until the mixture is a proper consistency.
The clay is then formed in to lumps or snake-like coil, which is then used to make pots. The pots are sun-dried and then fired in a pit or open fireplace. This produces a mottled pattern or black, tan, orange, and/or brown which makes this pottery so distinctive. (Blumer, 2004)
First: The clay is cleaned
Second: The clay is ground into a very fine powder to eliminate gritiness from the final product.
Third: Water is added until the mixture is a proper consistency.
The clay is then formed in to lumps or snake-like coil, which is then used to make pots. The pots are sun-dried and then fired in a pit or open fireplace. This produces a mottled pattern or black, tan, orange, and/or brown which makes this pottery so distinctive. (Blumer, 2004)
The pottery is not made for its beauty, but there are many practical reasons this pottery was made as well. Here are two common Catawba pottery styles: