Horsehair Pottery
Posted on: March 22, 2020
- In: Art | Family
- 75 Comments
During a visit to Sedona, Arizona, a few years ago, my daughter and I were intrigued by the horsehair pottery we saw in the wonderful shops there. My potter daughter decided to create some of this pottery herself while I was visiting her last fall. I was privileged to watch this fascinating process. The four pieces turned out well. Here are some pictures of her creating horsehair pottery.
Horsehair pottery is pottery that incorporates hair from the manes and tails of horses into its design. The process of creating horsehair pottery involves applying strands of hair to the surface of a hot clay pot that has just been removed from the kiln. The hair carbonizes, leaving random patterns in the pot’s surface. Horsehair makes great patterns because of its coarseness and length. Tail hair is thicker, so it leaves bolder patterns, and finer mane hair produces more subtle lines.
Every pot created using this pottery technique is unique. Many artists add other design features to the horsehair pots they create. Some artists use the same technique with dog or cat hair. For instance, my daughter has used the pet’s hair on urns she has created to hold a dear deceased pet’s ashes.
The above information is based on information from this website. https://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-horsehair-pottery. Check it out to learn more.
All the pictures were taken by me, the unofficial photographer, except the last picture taken by madmudslinger
For more of my daughter’s work check out her website www.madmudslinger.com
Follow her on Instagram where she posts many pictures of her work https://www.instagram.com/madmudslinger/
Have you seen or heard of horsehair pottery before?
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75 Responses to "Horsehair Pottery"
March 22, 2020 at 6:38 am
I have never heard of this before but they look amazing!
March 22, 2020 at 6:42 am
That is amazing. I love these old methods of creating. I spend hours watching people shape choppers and spears from natural pieces. Thanks for sharing.
March 22, 2020 at 7:59 am
I know. There is something mesmerizing about watching these methods that take time and patience.
March 22, 2020 at 6:50 am
The vases are beautiful!! It was fun to observe the process, too!
March 22, 2020 at 7:38 am
Like most of your previous readers, I have not heard of this type of pottery before. While the world is coming to almost a standstill, this process seems calming – and beautiful too! Thank you, Darlene!
March 22, 2020 at 8:07 am
Horsehair pottery is very popular in Arizona and New Mexico. I have picked up a few pieces over the years. It was great to watch the process. I love things that take time and patience. The end result was fabulous.
March 22, 2020 at 8:04 am
This is a fascinating technique I’d never heard of and the pots are beautiful. Love the idea of a unique urn for a pet’s ashes.
March 22, 2020 at 8:08 am
I have never heard of this type of pottery….how cool! Great post Darlene…love the pictures and the information!!
March 22, 2020 at 8:10 am
Art comes in so many forms, doesn’t it? Learning about art and looking at it can take us away from disturbing current events.
March 22, 2020 at 8:20 am
Your daughter’s pottery is beautiful. Thank you so much for sharing this with us!
March 22, 2020 at 9:21 am
Add me to the list of learners. It’s fascinating to think about how this process started.
March 22, 2020 at 7:15 pm
Here’s one version of how it started. http://clairemolloyceramics.com/index.php/horse-hair-ceramics-history-3
March 22, 2020 at 12:18 pm
Thanks for sharing this, Darlene! There are so many interesting ways to create pottery. I hadn’t heard of this one before.
March 22, 2020 at 7:16 pm
There is many ways and my daughter has tried them all. She’s been making pottery since she was very little.
March 22, 2020 at 12:45 pm
I’ve never seen it before, this is is fascinating. Thank you for sharing!
March 22, 2020 at 5:29 pm
A beautiful technique… the pots are gorgeous.
March 22, 2020 at 10:13 pm
What a fascinating technique to make gorgeous artwork.
March 22, 2020 at 10:55 pm
Wow! so creative. I have never heard of Horsehair pottery before. Her work is amazing. Thanks for sharing Darlene.
March 22, 2020 at 11:28 pm
This reminds me of Raku pottery
March 23, 2020 at 4:15 am
I am in awe of anyone who can create like that. Amazing!
March 23, 2020 at 5:15 am
I marvel at the creativity of such artistry. Such a beautiful result. I’m guessing the process might be a bit smelly? No matter when such beauty is the outcome.
March 23, 2020 at 5:31 am
Yes, burnt hair can be smelly so it’s best to do it outside. It was actually a drizzly day but didn’t hamper the process. It does come out very nicely.
March 23, 2020 at 2:05 pm
That’s so cool! I wonder who came up with the idea of wrapping horse hair around a piece of smoking hot pottery? lol
I love your daughter’s hat!
March 23, 2020 at 7:04 pm
I know, it is cool. It has been attributed to the Native Americans but no one knows for sure. I love that hat too.
March 23, 2020 at 9:47 pm
This is fascinating, Darlene. It would never have occurred to me that the end result might have been created by burning hair. Your daughter does make beautiful pots.
March 23, 2020 at 11:17 pm
Wow. I’ve never heard of this, Darlene. And those finished pieces are gorgeous! I love pottery and have vases from all over the world. I just checked out your daughter’s website. She’s so creative. 🙂
March 24, 2020 at 1:17 am
Thanks so much for checking out her website. She was born creative! Collecting pottery is a great pastime. xo
March 24, 2020 at 12:30 am
Very cool, Darlene. I loved seeing your photos. It’s fascinating, isn’t it. I got a lovely piece of horsehair pottery when I lived in Albuquerque 15 years ago. It made the trip with me when I moved to DC, but when I relocated last year I gave it up (and 4/5ths of everything else I owned).
Thanks for sharing this fun moment with us. Hugs on the wing.
March 24, 2020 at 1:15 am
I just knew you would like this. You and my daughter would get along very well. I gave up 75% of my stuff when I moved to Span. There is not too much I miss. Sending hugs back. Please stay safe and healthy.
March 24, 2020 at 4:19 am
Thanks for sharing your daughter’s beautiful pottery, Darlene. I also learned something new about horsehair pottery. Stay safe and well. #senisal
March 24, 2020 at 4:26 am
I´m glad you enjoyed learning about horsehair pottery. Take care of yourself as well, Natalie. xo
March 24, 2020 at 7:12 am
Wow! That is so cool and the results are beautiful! I would love to learn how to do this.
March 24, 2020 at 11:02 am
Fascinated Darlene. I’d never of horse hair pottery. Your daughter is certainly gifted. And Sedona, one of my favorite places on earth. ❤
March 24, 2020 at 6:11 pm
And mine. Sedona is magical, isn´t it? She is gifted and I´m so proud of her. Hugs back.
March 24, 2020 at 11:13 pm
I’ve never heard of this, but I love how they turned out! Interesting process – I know nothing about pottery.
March 24, 2020 at 11:43 pm
My daughter has been doing pottery for most of her life, so I´ve learned a lot about it through her. I am always amazed at what she creates. Thanks.
March 26, 2020 at 2:14 am
This is an interesting post, Darlene. I haven’t heard of horsehair pottery before.
March 26, 2020 at 4:05 am
It is not that common, mostly found in the southern US. She loves trying something different. Thanks, Robbie.
March 27, 2020 at 5:27 am
I’m with the rest of the group, not knowing of this technique. It must have been a pleasure to watch your daughter create these pieces.
March 27, 2020 at 5:34 am
I’m pleased I was able to introduce this type of pottery to my readers. It was a real treat to be able to watch my daughter in action.
April 3, 2020 at 8:14 pm
I’ve never heard of horsehair pottery before either, so thanks for the info, Darlene!
September 13, 2020 at 8:05 am
Beautiful! I love the idea of incorporating pet hair for deceased pets. What a wonderful tribute!
September 13, 2020 at 10:04 pm
Thanks, Wanda. I like that idea too. My daughter has been asked to that a few times.
Darlene Foster's Blog 
March 22, 2020 at 6:08 am
Fascinating! I never heard of horsehair pottery before. The pots are beautiful and what creative way of using pet hair on urns commemorating our furry friends!
March 22, 2020 at 7:57 am
It was fascinating to watch the process. No one knows for sure who started using this process, although it has been attributed to Native Americans. Marcelle is often commissioned to make urns for deceased pets.