Samuel Manymules #020420

$1,200.00

This new piece is hand coiled and traditionally fired outdoors. Samuel refers to it as a swirled storage jar. The form of this jar is particularly beautiful. Sometimes when the pushed out ribs are symmetric, and a certain thickness, there is an appearance of “motion” This is true with this piece. The ribs become narrow as they reach the small bottom. The plain polished neck of the jar is so beautifully placed above the ribs. Samuel has been able to polish the pot inside for several inches down, a very difficult skill. The colors we see ranging from blacks to red browns are especially attractive. After Samuel fired the piece outdoors, he added pine pitch which was applied both inside and out while the pot was still warm. Afterwards, he polished it with a cotton cloth to help achieve that excellent shine. The overall look exhibits excellence in form, shape, carving and polishing.

5″ high by 6 1/2″ wide

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Samuel Manymules

Samuel Manymules was born August 30, 1963 of the Bitterwater Clan for the Red House Nakai Dine Clan. He writes for us, “Unemployment is extremely high on the Navajo Nation. Through my adult life, I have been employed sporadically among many trades: I once made jewelry for the late Herbert Taylor, drove a tow truck for several years, and worked at an auto dealership. After dabbling in making pottery for over a decade, it is only very recently that I considered myself a potter, I am self-taught, At the moment, I consider myself more serious and engaged with my pottery.

The vessels I make are of traditional natural materials. First, I gather moist pure clay from local riverbed sources, which is then dried three to four months in the sun. When dried, the resulting clumps are crushed, ground and sifted into fine powder. Temper is also gathered and processed; volcanic ash, silt, or pottery shards may be used. After hand mixing, the clay is set aside for curing. Finally, after many months of preparation, the clay mixture is ready for use. Firing is an all-day process. Cedar wood is used because it burns efficiently and high temperatures. Fire clouds happen by chance. When finished, debris, such as ash, is carefully removed. Refined pinion tree sap is then swabbed inside and out with a stick while the vessel cools. After the vessel cools, the pottery is polished with a cotton cloth to a high sheen.

Samuel has won numerous awards since 2002, including a recent Judges’ Choice Award at the 2008 Heard Museum and a Blue Ribbon at the 2009 Santa Fe Indian Market. He has been awarded Blue and red ribbons at both the Santa Fe Indian Market, the Heard Museum Market, and in both 2005 and 2006 won Best of Pottery at the Southwest Museum Indian Marketplace.

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