Ramona Peters - NosapocketRamona Peters - Nosapocket
Each piece is coil constructed in the same manner as my ancestors. Most of my pots are not pit-fired, in order to preserve the clear details of design. The symbol at the upper left corner of each of these pages is my signature. It is found on my paintings, and is incised upon or inside each clay piece.
You may select a pot that is presently available or commission a special piece in the likeness of any displayed in the gallery. A commissioned piece will be available for delivery between 4 and 6 weeks. Prices include shipping, handling and insurance.
Your interest is greatly appreciated. Any inquiries or comments are welcome; write, call or Email.
For best results, these pages should be viewed in a video mode with more than 256 colors.
Cultural information: This piece carries one of
the earliest pottery shapes of the Northeast region, dating
2,000-1000 BP (before present.) The sack shape was an early cookware
alternative to stone vessels. This pot is decorated with more care in
details than my ancestors would have, yet it remains a traditional
style Wampanoag cooking pot. The word "sack" is used to suggest that
this pot is travel-ware.
Artist's comment: The deep line work creating a
path around the vessel and the dot dash pattern are my ways, through
symbols, of honoring ages ago.
Cultural information: This type of pot would commonly be used inside
the wetu (wigwam). Its color, along with the white clay inlay, help
protect the pot from being accidentally kicked. The wetus were
constructed without windows; only the doorway and smoke hole lit up
the homes' interior.
Artist's comment: This is the first piece I made after losing my
left thumb while doing boat building millwork Oct 31,1994. The One
Thumb Pot has a softness that I'm delighted to have emerge through my work.
I am also very comforted that the coils can be rolled as delicately
as this. The One Thumb Pot was purchase in Koganei, Japan by Ms.
Ayako Yodoi , at it's first showing March 1996.
Currently displayed at Many Nations Gallery, Concord, MA.
Cultural information: This clay sack is a ceremonial piece. The red
ochre is used to stabilize and ground the ceremonial intent.
Cultural information: This piece could be called an "Indian Tea Pot".
The natives knew of many wonderfully delicious brews to quench the
thirst. These pots have the natural feature of "sweating" which
automatically cools the beverage to temperatures as low as the
glacier-melt springs found in the area.
From the Artist's collection.
Ceremonial use only. Not available for purchase.
Cultural information: The shape of this pot carries the traditional
Wampanoag ceramic characteristics. There were very few Eastern
Woodland Native American pot builders who put this much decoration on
their pots before the year 1700.
Artist's comment: I built this pot's full body
in form before I left for a trip to Japan and Burma. During my
exhibit at The Gallery Brocken, in Japan, many of the Japanese
collectors and artists commented on the similarity between Wampanoag
pottery and pottery from their Early Jomon Period. After having seen
such astounding art in cultural traditions that touched my soul there
in Japan, I came home somewhat changed. Traditional Wampanoag
pottery had stayed basically the same in form for 6,000 years. Those
forms are the basis of my creations. However, until I went to Japan, I
had not encountered any people who truly understood what they were
looking at in terms of traditional form that endures millennia. This
clay body held the perfect green state of water, earth, air for me to
adorn it for three months.
Cultural information: Night Guardian is an owl form. Some Native
Americans call the owl a night eagle.
Artist's comment: This pot sits as an owl would; still, soft,
feeling like it's day blind. It has a natural dignity about it, that
makes me call it "Night Guardian".
Cultural information: This is a very large vessel. It could hold a
bushel of clams easy. The designs on the outer body are modest, giving
recognition to the overall size of the piece.
Artist's comment: I'm especially proud of the
thin walls I was able coil for a pot this large. The value was
always higher on thin walled pots amongst my people.
Cultural information: Mashpee Pond is a special
place where generations of the Mashpee Wampanoag People have gone for
spiritual nourishment and mental recreation. Ponds can be likened to
clay pots, since ponds are lined with a clay material that contains
the water. There are legends that say the Mashpee pond can be lifted
up by chosen Mashpee tribal people.
Artist's comment: I was floating and trying to
visualize that event, of being lifted in the pond. My visual reverted
to a sensual instead and this is what emerged. The first of a
series of pond pots I intend to float and feel this summer on the
Cape.
From the collection of Ms. Camille Ayala Pitterson
Cultural information: This pot has ancient Taino
glyphs incised all around a traditional Wampanoag pot form. These
fantastic images can be seen on cave walls and huge rocks, on the
Island of Puerto Rico. The collar design is meant to represent
canoes, that would have brought our people together.
Artist's comment: This is truly a bicultural
piece. It was inspired by my friendship with Camille and many visits
to St. Croix. She is one of many devote cultural activists of Taino
decent keeping the life of their culture nurtured. I love the
thoughts and feelings these glyphs evoke in me. Each one has a
strong personality that captures my imagination. I find their quality
of timelessness and innocence to the most pleasing.
From the collection of The Daughters Of Wisdom
Cultural information: I was commissioned to make
a special pot for an innovative Catholic Order of Nuns. Through
ultramontane research and consultation with one of the Sisters of this
Order, I created this ceremonial vessel for their use. The name
Sophia appears in early versions of Catholic scriptures as a Goddess
figure.
Artist's comment: To make a commissioned pot
that is likely to be used is always an important commission for me.
The designs on this pot needed to symbolically represent concepts
that are foreign to my culture. I really enjoyed the challenge .
These women have sent me cards of thanksgiving and are indeed using
the pot as a group in a circle.
From the collection of Ms. Jeannie Abbott
Cultural information: The size of this pot gives
it versatility and it’s collar would allow the user to lay the pot on
it’s side to fry foods. The red ochre was applied to this piece to
express my high esteem for Ms. Abbott.
Artist's comment: I’ll take this opportunity to
say to the world that Ms. Abbott is a wonderful and dear friend of
mine. She is an especially gifted artist with a keen understanding of
multi-dimensional patterns. This is the first pot of mine that I felt
was good enough to give to Jeannie. She has taught me values of and
in patterns that few could conceive of without her type of spiritual
endowment. She who has danced in the rain.
Trail Step Clay Sack September, 1995
Dimensions: height 8.5", circumference 32"
One Thumb Pot February, 1995
Dimensions: height 22", circumferences: collar 29", neck 24-1/2", body 33"
Young Womens Lap Bowl September,
1992
Dimensions: height standing 4.25", rim circumference 24.9"
White Gallon Clay Sack September, 1995
Dimensions: height 9-1/4", body circumference 29"
Cape Cod Style Wampanoag Cooking Pot June, 1995
Dimensions: height 22", circumferences: collar 29", neck 24.5", body 33.3"
Sunburst Berry Pot September, 1992
Dimensions: height 16.75", circumferences: collar 27", neck 16.75", body 31"
Whale Oil Pot August,
l992
Dimensions: height 12", circumferences: collar 21.8", neck 19.4", body 24"
Attushquoag Pipe (Noblemen's
Pipe) September, 1992
Dimensions: length 7.25"
Bear Clan Pipe September, 1992
Dimensions: length 5.75"
Four Face Pot September, 1992
Dimensions: height 17.5", circumferences: collar 32", neck 23.25", body 34.9"
Clan Mother's Pot July, 1992
Dimensions: height 20", circumferences: collar 35", neck 28.9", body 39.9"
Ancient Lately May, 1996
Dimensions: height 12-1/2", circumferences: collar 26", neck 17", body 25"
Night Guardian July, 1996
Dimensions: height 9-3/4", circumferences: body 21", top rim 18"
Cape Cod Bay Clay Sack October, 1995
Dimensions: height 15" with stand, body circumference 48"
Legend of Mashpee Pond July, 1996
Dimensions: height 24" with stand, circumferences: collar 52", neck 44", body 48"
Taino on Wampanoag October, 1994
Dimensions: height 12.6" with stand, circumferences: collar 22", neck 17", body 24"
The Sophia Pot November, 1995
Dimensions: height 33", circumferences: collar 25", neck 19", body 38"
Dances In The Rain September, 1996
Dimensions: height 15", circumferences: collar 23", neck 15.3", body 26"