Navajo Hand-Etched Horsehair Seed Pot by Ben Billy

This seed pot is a quiet showpiece. Navajo artist Ben Billy hand-throws each piece in the classic squat silhouette, then carves precise geometric patterns into the clay before firing — mountain peaks along the upper half, staircase steps anchoring the base. Traditional symbols, rendered with a steady and practiced hand.

The horsehair firing adds the unpredictable element. As the pot comes out of the kiln still hot, strands of real horsehair are laid across the surface, scorching into bold carbon trails that weave through the etched lines. The result is a rich gradient from deep violet at the base through cerulean blue to smoky grey at the rim — no two pieces ever look the same.

• Artist: Ben Billy (Navajo)
• Technique: Hand-etched Sgraffito with authentic horsehair firing
• Dimensions: 3.92" H x 4.18" W
• Weight: Approximately 11 oz
• Signature: Hand-signed "BL Navajo" on the base

Handle with clean, dry hands. Avoid moisture and abrasive cleaners. Display away from direct sunlight to preserve the glaze tones.

Ben Billy is a Navajo artist known for his precise Sgraffito etching technique and mastery of horsehair firing, creating pieces that blend traditional symbolism with contemporary form.