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Richard Zane Smith
Wyandot
Richard Zane Smith is an enrolled member of the Wyandot Nation of Kansas. Sadly, the Wyandot Nation of Kansas is still working its way to federal recognition.
Richard grew up in Missouri and attended the Kansas City Art Institute to study ceramics. Over the years since, he has worked diligently to spread the knowledge required to make traditional Wyandot pottery and to keep his language and culture alive among today's young Wyandot.
Richard has been creating his own unique version of Wyandot pottery for more than 40 years. When I look at his work (and hold it in my hands), I can feel the spirit in it, walking in the forest and communing with all that lives.
Richard and his wife Carol are among the most peaceful and sharing people I have ever met. He doesn't do big shows (like Santa Fe Indian Market) because he prefers to be out of the crowd, and the demand for his work is so high he can never build up enough inventory to justify the extra cost.
Polychrome jar with corrugated surface
8.5 in H by 12.25 in Dia
Large tiny coil jar decorated with a corrugated Navajo carpet design
16.75 in H by 19.75 in Dia
10.25 in H by 13.25 in Dia
8.5 in H by 12.25 in Dia
Polychrome jar with corrugated feather design
8.5 in H by 11.75 in Dia
Large tiny coil jar decorated with a spiral geometric design
19.75 in H by 20 in Dia
A sgraffito and painted geometric design with oak leaf appliques on a polychrome jar
7.5 in H by 10.75 in Dia
Flower bud jar with a textured surface and sgraffito and painted design with an organic opening8.25 in H by 11.5 in Dia
Polychrome jar with lifted flaps in a spiral design
11.25 in L by 11.25 in W by 8.25 in H
A tiny coil jar decorated with a geometric cut opening, triangular cutouts and a geometric design
9.25 in L by 9.25 in W by 8 in H
A painted spirit presence design on the corrugated surface of a polychrome tiny coil jar with a flared rim, entitled Remembering the Ancestors
14 in L by 14 in W by 11.25 in H
A polychrome lazy coil jar with a sgraffito and painted flower and vine design around the neck
8.25 in L by 8.25 in W by 6.5 in H
Polychrome sea urchin-like jar with a tiny coil design and cutouts
13.5 in Dia by 6.75 in H
A Wyandot-form crowned polychrome jar decorated with a flower, plant and geometric design
12.75 in Dia by 16 in H
A red bud-form sculptural piece with cutouts and an organic opening
7 in Dia by 6.25 in H
A lidded, polychrome flattened-coil jar with a sgraffito and painted flower and vine design around the body
9.5 in Dia by 7.5 in H