Cochiti Pueblo Lidded Jar by Virgil Ortiz [SOLD]

Virgil Ortiz is probably one of the most recognized pueblo artisans today. He started making pottery at age 6 and still occasionally finds time to do more, but his life of producing designer clothing, designing furniture, making videos, producing photographs, and making jewelry leave very little time to pursue his earlier career of pottery production.

Ortiz’s mother, Seferina Ortiz, encouraged him to make traditional Cochiti Pueblo pottery, but he chose to go more modern. He has produced figurines ranging from scantily-clad females, males with nipple rings, two-headed people, females dressed in long leather dresses, etc. At the same time, he has formed traditional shaped jars, but his decorations have deviated from the traditional.

This small lidded jar by Ortiz is probably one of his earlier creations when he was living at his mom’s home as it is very traditional Cochiti pottery with traditional designs. There are volutes curving outward from banks of clouds and lightning and there are corn stalks.

The jar is signed Virgil Ortiz Cochiti Pueblo and the lid is signed with his initials. There is a cartouche next to his name. The jar is in original excellent condition.

Provenance: ex. coll. Florida pottery collectors.