Old West & Native American Auction
Lot 1050:
Description
This beautiful Pueblo polychrome pottery jar, most likely from a New Mexico pueblo such as Acoma or perhaps Zuni, exhibits the classic Olla form with a gently rounded base and a wide, rounded body tapering to a short, slightly flaring neck. The earthenware is finished in a warm, light-brown slip, acting as a canvas for the striking design executed in black and a deep reddish-brown (polychrome). The decoration is sophisticated, featuring a broad band of geometric motifs centered on the widest part of the vessel. The upper design consists of repeating dark red-brown rectangular elements suspended from the rim, each segmented by thin black lines that descend and terminate in a small dot—a motif often interpreted as rain, corn, or feathers. Below the equator, a bold pattern of stepped or scalloped black forms encircles the pot, giving a sense of dynamic movement. The interior is unslipped not prepared with a clay/water mixture. The piece presents in very good vintage condition with a smooth surface patina consistent with age and careful handling. The rounded base displays a natural firing cloud (darkened area) and perhaps the remnant of an adhesive or tag, consistent with the traditional Pueblo form for storage and water jars. There are no apparent chips or cracks. H 8.25″, W 12″, D 12″. From the Native American display in Donley’s Wild West Town.
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