Historic Polychrome Small Upright Polacca Jar [SOLD]

Polacca pottery style began around 1740. It did not fully become the predominant type at Hopi until about 1800, and it continued until about 1890. Polacca wares were the predominant utilitarian wares of this time period. This jar is typical of Polacca Polychrome, Style C, which existed in the late-1800s; however, jars of this scale were not functional but were made for sale to visitors to the village.

This small jar was constructed with a flat bottom pedestal—slightly unusual for the Polacca period. It has a pair of loop handles on opposing sides of the shoulder. The painted design was beautifully executed. A wide brown band framed by parallel lines encircles the footed base and the three lines are bisected with ceremonial breaks. The interior of the neck is painted red—the only red area of the vessel.

The small jar is really in quite excellent condition considering its age. There is one small spot where it appears that a grain of sand popped out, leaving a small spall. There is no evidence of damage, repair, or over-paint.