Design Elements: Corrugation

Red jar with corrugated surface
Corrugated red jar
by Garnet Pavatea, Hopi

4.75 in H by 4.75 in Dia
Corrugated surface on a white owl figure
Corrugated white owl
by Jackie Shutiva, Acoma

7.75 in H by 8 in Dia
Corrugated design painted on a large seed pot
Large seed pot painted with a corrugated design
by Robert Kasero Sr., Laguna
4.5 in H by 7.5 in Dia
Red jar and lid with corrugated surfaces
Lidded, corrugated red jar
by Fito Tena, Mata Ortiz
3.75 in H by 4.25 in Dia

Corrugation is most often found on pots from Acoma, Hopi and Mata Ortiz, although some pots from Santa Clara and Jemez offer bands of corrugation as part of their overall design.

Some modern Acoma and Laguna potters have evolved a style of painting that looks like a more geometric form of corrugation than what is possible using traditional methods for producing a corrugated surface. Traditional corrugation requires a relatively thick clay body while most modern Acoma and Laguna pottery is produced using a thin clay body covered with several coats of white (kaolin) slip.

Band of corrugation around the neck of a white wedding vase
Band of corrugation around the neck of a white wedding vase
by Wilfred Garcia, Acoma
11.25 in H by 7.75 in Dia
Black flying saucer jar with a corrugated surface
Flying saucer jar with a corrugated surface
by Reynaldo Quezada, Mata Ortiz
3.5 in H by 12 in Dia

Design Elements