Isabela Polychrome ware is a type of ceramic, dating back to the sixteenth century. This beautiful ceramic artifact typically had blue and manganese colored designs (Indiana Univ). The ceramic ware was stylized by hand painted concentric circles or bands of decoration. The pattern usually consisted of gothic lettering as well as floral designs and many other shapes and figures. It is said that this ceramic type is similar to the Columbia Plain type and has noticeable European influences (Indiana Univ).

The Isabela Polychrome was used as common ceramic dishes and tableware as well as decoration to show artistic talent. In 1494, Columbus discovered and named the island Hispaniola (`Little Spain'). On the north shore of Hispaniola is Cape Isabela and the Isabela ruins. When he landed he was greeted by the Taino (friendly people) Indian tribe. The Taino tribe had been surviving on the island and created the Isabella Polychrome ware. After encountering Columbus and the other European settlers, the ceramic style changed as they recognized the European culture. The presence of European heritage and culture pushed the Taino Indian tribe off the settlement and they were forced to find other areas to live and continue to make the Isabela Polychrome ware. As some Taino communities survived, many of them and their original culture was lost.

Today, many archeologists have been discovering Isabela Polychrome ware and other Polychrome ware similar to that of the Dominican Republic. They have found these ceramic pieces in shipwrecks of the Caribbean waters. Over time the ceramics had darkened due to the various conditions underwater. The paste color and glaze was covered and hidden, but after archeologists used a hydrogen peroxide solution on them, the ceramics returned to their original and beautiful state. Surprisingly, the Isabela Polychrome ware was found in good condition, considering the fact that they were submerged under the ship for so long. Isabela Polychrome ware is a beautiful ceramic of the Taino Indian tribe and the Dominican Republic. Created so long ago, but still exists today as more ceramic artifacts are found through out the world and Caribbean Seas.

REFERENCES:

Brown, Isabel Zakrzewski. Culture and Customs of the Dominican Republic. Westport,

Conn.: Greenwood Press, 1999.

Dominican Republic Terrestrial Artifacts (3 October 1996) http://www.indiana.edu/~r317doc/dr/old/html/artifact.html (24 February 2003)

Written by Michelle Kline, 2003