Small Black-on-cream Olla, circa mid-1800s [SOLD]

This fine vessel dates to the last quarter of the nineteenth century. It is of a size for which it is difficult to ascribe a function. Vessels of this size could have been made for repositories of sacred cornmeal, for a gift to a newborn child, or even as a training piece for a beginning potter. It is truly rare to find such an exquisite jar of this diminutive size and of such extraordinary beauty and condition.

It is undeniably Zuni in form, design, materials and character, and is an intriguing and atypical example of Zuni artistry. The paste is typically Zuni, gray in color with a chunky texture, the temper being ground pottery shards. The underbody and neck interior are black-slipped, with white stone-polished slip on the exterior body.

A single black bird graces the neck of the vessel. A pair of thick black framing lines rests on the shoulder of the jar and is penetrated by a ceremonial break line. Another pair of framing lines at the base of the jar does not have an apparent ceremonial break, nor does the framing line at the neck of the jar. The base of the jar is concave.

The design is suggestive of early historic Zuni pieces, particularly Ashiwi Polychrome (1700-1750) in the banded divination of the design plane. The overall image of the jar gives the impression of some antiquity. It has excellent patination and wonderful crazing to the white slip. The surface finish is consistent with earlier vessel construction techniques that exhibit a somewhat rough texture, not smooth as in later ones.

The condition of the vessel is excellent. This is probably one of the most rare of the Zuni Pueblo pottery items available today.

Provenance: The property of Philip Winship Davis, from the collection of his grandfather, George Parker Winship.