Note 40 — SLIPPING AND POLISHING

Stevenson says of the Zuñi: “This solution (of a fine white calcareous earth) is applied to the surface of the vessel and allowed to dry; it is then ready for the decorations” (1883, pp. 329, 330). Mrs. Stevenson, writing at a later date, gives more details: “A white clay is dissolved in water and then made into cones which are dried in the sun. When required for use these cones are rubbed to powder on a stone, again mixed with water, and applied in a liquid state to the object with a rabbit-skin mop. Polishing-stones are used to finish the surface” (1904, p. 375).