Cochiti Pueblo Storage Jar of the Kiua Polychrome Period [R]

According to Frank Harlow, Cochiti pottery of the Kiua Polychrome period dates from as early as 1760.  The earliest examples have red-painted rim tops, which this storage jar does have.  This jar dates to the late 1700s.  After about 1800, rim tops were painted black.  The Kiua Polychrome designation applies to pottery made at both Cochiti and Santo Domingo (Kewa) Pueblos for a period of about 100 years starting in 1760.  By 1850, Cochiti developed sufficient design characteristics that its pottery designation was changed from Kiua Polychrome to Cochiti Polychrome.

One will notice that the main body design on this jar resembles designs most often seen on Santo Domingo (Kewa) pottery.  This is not unusual during the Kiua Polychrome period as both pueblos produced similar designs.  The design around the shoulder, just below the neck, is the beginning of design development at Cochiti that differs from that at Kewa Pueblo.

The narrow red band under the decorated area persisted during this period, being replaced with a red slip on the entire underbody at a later date.

Condition: Structurally the jar is in excellent condition.  Some minor cracks were professionally restored to the original condition.  Conservation techniques were held to a minimum.

Provenance: ex. coll. a prominent Colorado collector.

Recommended Reading:  Historic Pottery of the Pueblo Indians 1600-1880 by Frank and Harlow.