Historic San Juan Pueblo Traditional Utilitarian OLLA [SOLD]

This beautiful olla was made by an unknown San Juan Pueblo potter. We specify San Juan potter, rather than Ohkay Owingeh potter, because that is the name by which the pueblo was known at the time this jar was made in the late nineteenth century.  It is an excellent example of San Juan’s red-over-tan pottery style. The vessel’s shape is exceptional, making fine use of dramatic semicircular curves and a softly fluted rim.  It shows an even and appealing wear pattern from pueblo use, with a series of small rim chips and slip abrasions but no structural damage or professional restoration. Elegance is a defining attribute of the pueblo’s historic pottery, and this particular piece is exemplary in that regard.

While we wouldn’t hesitate to classify this piece as a red-over-tan, its coloration is actually quite unique. This is likely a result of the potter choosing a different clay source for her slip than that which was preferred by her contemporaries. The olla is lighter in color than the typical 

San Juan piece, and under bright light it takes on a warm orange glow. It’s hard to define, but it’s wonderfully rich and undeniably alluring. Fire clouds appear in varying intensities, adding touches of smokey darkness to the otherwise bright, reflective surface. This unique, gorgeous piece deserves the careful attention of anyone who appreciates the old San Juan pottery.

Condition: Excellent condition with wear from use—minor rim chips and slip abrasions. The piece has been examined under a blacklight and shows no signs of restoration or repair.

Provenance: this Historic San Juan Pueblo Traditional Utilitarian OLLA is from a private collection, purchased from the large corporate collection of a company that went bankrupt in 2000

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

Relative Links: Southwest Indian Pottery, San Juan Pueblo, Historic Pottery