First posted by C. Dean Wilson 2014

Trampas Black-on-white was defined by Dick (1965). This type has so far been only identified at Picuris Pueblo for assemblages dating from the end of the Classic to the Pueblo Revolt periods (Adler and Dick 1999). Trampas Black-on-white was the last painted type decorated with organic paint that was made by Northern Tiwa potters and appears to have been produced from A.D. 1575 to A.D. 1696.

Trampas Black-on-white exhibits many characteristics similar to those described for late glaze ware types. Vessel forms include bowls and miniature canteens. Temper still includes quartzite and acrostic sand, although pastes tend to be finer than earlier white ware types associated with this tradition. Paste is gray to tan. A thin gray to tan slip occurs on bowl interiors and exteriors as well as exteriors of canteens. Designs are executed in a black organic paint.

The most common design on bowls consists of a single wavy stripe although other simple linear and terraced cloud designs have also been noted. Designs noted on miniature canteens include terraced clouds, lightning bolts, and feathered motifs. Trampas Black-on-white is extremely rare and limited in distribution, and it has been suggested that the distinct characteristics may indicate that potters at Picuris Pueblo may view locally produced black-on-white pottery as belonging to an earlier and possibly more sacred time. Thus, forms assigned to Trampas Black-on-white may largely reflect ceremonial vessels used for special purposes (Adler and Dick 1999).

References:
Adler, Michael A. and Herbert W. Dick
1999 Picuris Pueblo Through Time: Eight Centuries of Change at a Northern Rio Grande Pueblo. Williams Clements Center for Southwest Studies, Southern Methodist University.

Dick, Herbert W.
1965 Picuris Pueblo Excavations, Clearing House, Springfield, Virginia.