Some pots are the reverse, with the middle band being plain and unpolished sandwiched between reds with polychrome designs. Santa Clara - It is said that long ago, during a tremendous drought, the people were dying of thirst when a bear appeared and led them to water. Santa Clara potters create in earth tones of yellow, beige, red, white, gray and matte black on high polished blackware. Blackware was created by the Santa Clara and San Ildefonso potters more than 300 years ago. The earth firing gives it the high-polished jet black finish.
Pottery is pivotal to the economic and social structure of the pueblo.
San Ildefonso - Maria Martinez of San Ildefonso Pueblo is perhaps the most famous of all Indian potters. She was a teacher as well, offering to share her gifts with many who wished to study. Her matte black designs painted on high-gloss black pottery are legendary. The water serpent, an image to honor rain and thanksgiving for water given to dry lands, is a San Ildefonso trademark. Sgraffito, two-tone red, polychrome, carved pottery, matte black, and red and blackware are all created by San Ildefonso potters.