San Ildefonso Pueblo Green-slipped Seed Jar with Kokopelli Design [SOLD]

Tse-Pé was the son of Rose Gonzales, the potter given credit for introducing carved pottery at San Ildefonso Pueblo. Rose was originally from Ohkay Owingeh Pueblo where carved pottery was traditional. Tse-Pé followed in his mom’s footsteps and produced carved pottery. He then expanded his horizons and began to experiment with various natural slips—particularly green slip. According to Greg Schaaf’s records, Tse-Pé was the first at San Ildefonso to use green slip, and then Russell Sanchez improved and continued its use.

This green-slipped seed jar features Kokopelli (the humpback flute player) in stone polished green slip over the sgraffito carved natural clay background. The green slip in matte finish over the remainder of the jar has micaceous flakes throughout. The polished green slip of the Kokopelli does not exhibit mica. A single shell hieshe bead was inserted as the eye of Kokopelli.

The signature on the underside is that very angular version of TP used by the artist. The item is not dated but is from the 1980s decade most probably. It still is in very good condition. There is no damage to the jar except some of the green slip has abraded on the underside of the jar around the signature element.