Cochiti Pueblo Historic Black-on-Cream Olla [SOLD]

Cochiti Pueblo potters are known for the large quantity of figurative pottery they make and have made since before the 1880s.  When Stevenson and Cushing, in 1879 and 1880, made collections for the Smithsonian, they remarked that there were very few ollas and bowls, most pottery being figurines.  Apparently, the potters were making only what they needed for household use and concentrating on making figurines for sale.  Even in the 20th century, Cochiti potters made few ollas and bowls, but were importing what they needed from Acoma, Zia and Zuni.  - Batkin1987

Pottery making took a change between 1910 and 1930 when a few potters began making ollas and bowls for sale.  Several potters achieved recognition during this period, but Cochiti pottery was not well received by collectors, who were more interested in pottery from other pueblos, even though several Cochiti potters were prize winners in the early 1920s Santa Fe Indian Market.

Some potters began applying cream slip over the entire vessel in the 1920s, in preference to leaving the lower section without slip.  This small jar is a good example of one with slip from top to bottom and no red in the design.  It certainly dates to the 1920 era.

The black design, repeated four times around the jar, consists of two long black lines, separated about an inch apart, with curved “feet” and a flat top.  Triangular shape designs are attached to the sides of this elongated figure and clouds are on top with lightning shooting off.  Black triangles, each with a dot in its center, are pendant from the black rim.  There is a ceremonial line break in the rim, in the appendant triangles, and in a framing line at the base of the neck.       

Condition: this Cochiti Pueblo Historic Black-on-Cream Olla is in very good condition with minor rim chips

Provenance: from a gentleman from Connecticut

Reference: Pottery of the Pueblos of New Mexico 1700-1940 by Jonathan Batkin