Historic Laguna Pueblo Four Color Polychrome Water Jar with Intricate Designs [SOLD]

The artist of this historic Laguna Pueblo water jar took wonderful liberties elaborating on many traditional decorative elements. There is much to take in when beholding this jar, from the scalloped rim, to the unique size, to the intricacy of design and color. All these elements combine to create a very attractive and unique jar.  

This water jar is smaller than the traditional size, leading enthusiasts to infer as to its purpose as potentially a training vessel, also referred to as a child’s water jar. Less common than its larger companion, this jar also combines four colors in its palette— a rare and enjoyable visual experience.

Globular in shape, this jar would aid its carrier in containing water with its form and high neck. The rim is beautifully hand scalloped, adding texture to its visual interest. The interior is cream with a thick red band at the top, enveloping the inside of the scalloped edges.  The top and outer rim are painted dark brown. 

Just below the rim, a decorative band is slipped with a cream background, extending down to the top of the jar’s shoulder. Dark red shapes resemble mesa tops inside this band; they are ornamented with dark brown edges, lines, and geometrics. This area is encircled on its lower perimeter with a three-quarter inch band painted in a checker pattern, with solid dark red alternating with a tightly drawn net-like pattern.  

Further down, a large pictorial band is painted inside of two sets of thin dark brown lines, the top set unbroken while the other is broken, in spirit line fashion. This area includes a cornucopia of designs, all very creative and exciting. Split leaves become single sided as they travel around in a zigzag, and eventually become doubled again. Brown and red checkerboard patterns alternate with solid orange to become the interior of large triangles extending from the top of the band. The mid band also features solid orange and brown net patterned triangles alongside several very freehand flora extending up from the base of the jar.

The base has been painted dark red and holds areas marked by firing. This colorful, expressive child’s water jar from Laguna Pueblo is a fine example of a potter not only having much skill in creation but enjoying the process. We are fortunate to experience these elements over a century later.     

Condition: Minor abrasion has occurred to the slip of this Laguna Pueblo water jar, and as a whole it is in very good condition. 

Provenance: This Historic Laguna Pueblo Four Color Polychrome Water Jar with Intricate Designs is from a private New Mexico collection.

Recommended Reading: Acoma & Laguna Pottery by Rick Dillingham

TAGS: Southwest Indian Pottery, Acoma Pueblo, Historic Pottery, Laguna Pueblo