Mimbres Polychrome is identical to Mimbres Black-on-White in all respects except that a yellowish slip has been added to some area to create a three-color composition. This technique was employed in both figural and geometric designs. Polychrome pottery was associated with earlier rather than later burials at the Mattocks Ruin, and seems to have been short-lived. Perhaps Red-on-white pottery, which appears to be a later Mimbres type, replaced the polychrome variety.

Characteristics

Paste: Gray to red
Temper: Quartz sand with occasional mica
Surface: Thick white slip on painted surfaces, often untreated on exteriors
Forms: Primarily bowls
Design: Figural or geometric designs executed with fine lines. Some areas filled with yellowish slip to create third color.