Pueblo of Picuris
Picuris Pueblo is nestled in the heart of the Sangre De Christo mountains in northern New Mexico. Located 60 miles north of Santa Fe and 24 miles south east of Taos. The people of Picuris invite you to visit our Pueblo and share in its splendor.
The Picurís Pueblo Museum displays and sells beadwork, weaving and pottery crafted by local artists. Picurís is also the majority owner of the Hotel Santa Fe located in the capital’s historic downtown area. Picuris pottery is often made in the form of functional micaceous clay vessels which are recognized by their beautiful, almost metallic shimmer in appearance. This type of pottery is utilitarian by design, and usually is not decorated or painted on the outside of the vessel, but beautiful shapes, micaceous clay, and fire-cloud reflect the beauty of an ancient art form that has been carefully preserved. The artists of Picurís have traditionally been potters, though there are also painters, weavers, sculptors, and a silversmith. Early pottery consisted of white or grey vessels painted with black designs, which can be seen in the museum.
Today’s pottery is recognized for its sparkling, bronze-like finish. The rare clay containing mica, is found in the mountains located northeast of the Village. These unique pots are used for cooking and are said to enhance the flavor of food.
Because Taos and Picuris Pueblos obtain their micaceous clay in the same region their pottery is quite similar. The main difference between Taos and Picuris pottery is that the unpainted functional Picuris pots tend to be thinner than those of Taos potters. On some of their pots Picuris potters coat the pot with a slip of mica before it is fired. Often the clouding from the firing process (known as “fire clouds”) will be the pot’s only decoration. Sometimes Picuris potters add raised rope or inlaid beads or molded clay animals to their pots. Some of their pottery is striated, too, the striations achieved by various methods.
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