Cochiti Pueblo Very Large Historic Pottery Storage Jar with Red Slip

The Red Clay Revolution: A Break from Tradition in Cochiti Pueblo Pottery

In the dawn of the twentieth century, specifically between 1900 and 1910, a potter from Cochiti Pueblo dared to deviate from the norm. She ventured into uncharted territory, experimenting with a slip derived from red clay instead of the traditional cream clay. This base coat served as the canvas for her chosen design. This period of experimentation coincided with the Aguilar sisters of Santo Domingo Pueblo, who were also exploring changes in their pottery. These shifts in pottery techniques could have been influenced by the influx of tourists traveling on the intercontinental train from Chicago to California, which passed through New Mexico. However, it's unlikely that this large jar was intended for sale to a traveler, given its size would have made transport on the train challenging. Perhaps the potter was simply expressing her desire to explore new and exciting avenues in her craft.

Such a large vessel would typically be kept in a pueblo home, serving as a storage unit for valuable items-food, treasures, clothing, dance paraphernalia, and more. Bowls or baskets, when overturned, functioned as lids for these jars.

The jar's designs are pictorial, reflecting the traditional Cochiti Pueblo style. A prominent design on the mid-body appears to depict a moth or butterfly, with a cloud gently releasing rain above it. The design on the jar's opposite side aligns more with the typical cartouche designs of Cochiti potters, similar to those used by Tonita Peña in her paintings. This design features a formation of clouds with lightning, topped by another rain-bearing cloud. Additional designs around the jar's neck and near its base consist of black triangles arranged in various patterns.

This Cochiti Pueblo pottery jar is a marvel in numerous ways. Its impressive size, appealing shape, and unusual color make it stand out. The design work is extraordinarily expressive, exuding a sense of freedom and unrestraint, as if the potter was channeling her passion into her work. Notably, firing such a large piece in a traditional outdoor setting would have been a challenging task. Large vessels often heat unevenly during firing, which can result in damage. However, this potter was not only an incredibly creative artist but also a master craftswoman-the jar's consistently fired surface is as impressive as any of its more immediately noticeable attributes.

Condition: very good condition with some surface abrasions

Provenance: this Cochiti Pueblo Very Large Historic Pottery Storage Jar with Red Slip is from a gentleman from Taos, NM

Recommended Reading: A River Apart: The Pottery of Cochiti & Santo Domingo Pueblos by Valerie Verzuh

TAGS: Southwest Indian Pottery, Cochiti Pueblo, Historic Pottery, Tonita Peña, Aguilar Sisters, Santo Domingo Pueblo