Magnificent Zuni Pueblo Polychrome Olla [SOLD]

Zuni Polychrome designation starts with the period from about 1850 to the present. The last fine vessels were made by the early 1900s. During this time span, there are several things that differ from earlier vessels. One is that there was a tendency to place the greatest width of jars above mid-height. A second is the change in the underbody paint from red to dark brown. Third, the use of red in the design was held to a minimum.

This jar displays all three aspects of jars from the last half of the 19th century. The widest point of the vessel appears just below the neck flexure, the underbody is brown, and the use of red paint is restricted to a few areas of fine-lines. Additionally, capped spirals, a design that appeared with great frequency after 1850, fill the body of the vessel. This jar dates to the decade of the 1870s.

There is significant rim wear from the abrasive effects of water spillage, but the integrity of the vessel is firm. The jar tilts slightly, as did many jars of this period. Overall, this is a rare and exquisite Zuni Polychrome 19th century jar of exceptional beauty.

Provenance: From the estate of Transcendental artist Florence Pierce of Albuquerque who passed away in 2007 at the age of 89.