Mimbres Turtle 6"x6"

The Mimbres culture centered around the Mimbres and Gila river valleys in the southwest region of New Mexico. The Mimbres are primarily known for their unique pottery, much of which was produced during the Classic Mimbres period of 1000-1150 A.D. The motifs found on Classic Mimbres Black-on-White include nonobjective designs, animals, fantastic creatures and human figures. The iconography of the bowls relates to prehistoric Mesoamerican culture as well as historic Pueblo religious beliefs and mythology. <p>
The term Black-on-White is misleading as varied firing temperatures produce hues ranging from bright orange to russet brown to black. The bold iron ore paste designs were painted on a white kaolin clay slip using yucca brushes. The pots were fired in large above ground kilns. Mimbres potters were primarily women, though men may have contributed to some stages of production.