Page 87 - TheHopiIndians

MESA FOLK OF HOPILAND 79
to close up the coiling grooves, and were always backed
from the outside or inside by the fingers. Finally the
smooth ' ' green ' ' vessel was set aside to dry.
Then a toy canteen was begun by taking a lump of
clay which, by modeling, soon assumed the shape of a
low vase. With a small stick, a hole was punched
through each side, a roll of clay was doubled for the
handles, the ends thrust through the holes and
smoothed down inside the vase, through the opening.
The neck of the canteen was inserted in a similar way.
Now the problem was to close the opening in this soft
vessel from the outside. Nampeo threw a coil around
the edge of the opening, pressing the layers together,
gradually drawing in, making the orifices smaller un
til it presented a funnel shape. Then the funnel was
pressed toward the body of the canteen, the edges
closed together, soldered, smoothed, and presto ! it was
done and all traces of handling hidden. Anyone
knowing the difficulties will appreciate this surpris
ingly dextrous piece of manipulation. Afterward,
Nampeo made a small vase-shaped vessel, by modeling
alone, without the addition of coiling as in the shaping
of the canteen.
The ware when it becomes sufficiently dry must re
ceive a wash of the white clay called hopi chuoka or
kutsatsuka, which burns white. Thereupon it is care
fully polished with a smooth pebble, shining from long
use, and is ready for decoration. The use of the glar
ing white slip clay as a ground for decoration was