Historic Extraordinary Laguna Pueblo Polychrome Jar

This historic Laguna Pueblo pottery jar is so beautiful that it is mind boggling. The dark brown pigment and deep red designs backed by a warm cream slip result in a strong design that cannot be ignored. The jar is oversized from the typical olla with which one is familiar. It is the oversize and the bold designs that combine to an amazing jar.

The typology classification "Laguna Polychrome" dates from the 1870s to the present. This jar is typical of the period 1890 based on its profile. It is a typical Laguna jar with documented design parameters-two bands of design, split black designs on the neck, split ovals on the body, and double red thumbs. The application of dark brown designs originated at Lagun between 1860-1870, as did the graceful, tall necks. What appears as hearts is a pair of connected elements which is a trait of Laguna pottery. Laguna pottery generally has a chain-like design with connected elements. Note the diamonds that are placed in a chain around the mid body. This is a Laguna trait not apparent at Acoma.

Pottery from Laguna Pueblo often resembles that from Acoma and Zia Pueblos with good reason. The Laguna pottery bears the stamp of the pueblo's many contacts with other groups. The settlement in Laguna of many refugees from other pueblos during the late seventeenth century began the acculturation process, which continued in the late 1800s as large numbers of outsiders arrived. Apparently, the Lagunas were very open to these settlers, for the pueblo became a unique mixture of Indians, Hispanics, and Anglos. By 1870, over 1800 non-Indians occupied areas surrounding the Laguna and Acoma reservations, compared with a little over 600 a decade earlier. During the 1870s, non-Indians continued to move onto Laguna Land, and their arrival drastically changed the earlier way of life. [Dillingham, 1992:150]

Condition: structurally strong with some rim chips and paint abrasions

Provenance: this Historic Extraordinary Laguna Pueblo Polychrome Jar is from a family in Arizona preparing for a move to the East Coast.

Reference and Recommended Reading: Dillingham, Rick. Acoma & Laguna Pottery, SAR Press 1992

TAGS: Southwest Indian Pottery, Acoma Pueblo, Historic Pottery, Laguna Pueblo, Ka'waika