Polychrome Historic Zuni Canteen, circa 1880 [SOLD]

We have had Zuni Pueblo canteens in the gallery in the past-although I must say not too many-but never have we had one of such magnificence in design and painted execution. This excellent canteen is typical of the late nineteenth century-circa 1880-with a wide girth and a large decorative surface.

Generally, Zuni ceramics of this period are chunky in texture with surfaces that appear more porous than smooth.  This canteen, however, has a wonderfully smooth surface without any elements of chunkiness.  The potter worked the clay to obtain the finest texture in the finished product.

The design executions at this late 19th century period are generally less crisp, light, and precise than those of twenty years earlier. In this instance, the execution of painted patterns is equal to those of the earlier period. The elements are heavier, with a visual emphasis on the geometric aspects of the design, and less focus on the fine-line contouring and subtleties of earlier works. Graphic and bold are two terms most suited to this late design-period. The heavy outline of this canteen is executed in black over stone-polish white slip, with only minimal use of red.

The designs on many canteens feature a large rosette on the dome of the vessel and that is usually the focus point, but the designer of this one chose a simple understated vertical bar of deep black hooks and clouds.  A potter, in 1924, described this vertical bar to Ruth Bunzel as "Grandfather standing (nanna elay): a prayer for long life."

On either side of the vertical design element is a pair of heartline deer-a buck and fawn.  The simplicity of the overall design is the crowning glory of the effort of the potter.  The lack of fine lines and medallions is refreshing to see, as they are generally used in excess.

The bottom of the canteen is painted a deep red color and shows calcium deposits that verify its use as a container for water.  The white slip on the topside has taken on a deep patina that attests to it age of over 100 years.  The condition of the vessel is excellent.  There is no apparent repair or restoration to any portion of the vessel or painted designs.

Provenance:  The owner of this canteen stated that his parents purchased it in the early 1960s and retained it until passing it on to him recently.

Reference: The Pueblo Potter: A Study of Creative Imagination in Primitive Art, by Ruth L. Bunzel. 1929. Columbia University Press, New York