Cochiti Pueblo Pictorial Olla [SOLD]

Sometimes we have to take an educated guess as to the age of a painting or pottery item we acquire, but Laurencita Herrera prevented us doing so on this olla as she not only signed her name but put the date 10-6-71 on the sidewall.  Laurencita was the mother of Seferina Ortiz and Mary Frances Herrera along with seven other children.  These two sisters are well known to pottery collectors.

The design on the olla is divided into a continuous repeated rim design and two panels of design on the body.  The design elements around the rim are stacked clouds.  On the main body, the feature is a pair of exquisitely decorated proud standing birds on opposing sides of the jar.  The panels dividing the two birds are elaborate checkerboard bars with feathers and clouds supporting them at the top and cactus plants at the base.

Condition:  the jar is in very good condition with only very minor abrasions to the slip.

Provenance:  from the collection of Katherine H. Rust