Jemez Pueblo Polychrome Jar by Helen Shendo [SOLD]

According to the Walatowa - Jemez Pueblo Website:

“The oral history of the Pueblo of Jemez, Walatowa, indicates that manufacturing of decorated pottery types of Jemez Black-on-White ceased sometime in the early to mid-eighteenth century when they reportedly shattered literally hundreds of the vessels, so that they would not get in to the hands of the Spanish. Manufacturing of this type was never resumed, and for the next 200 years, the Jemez People relied on decorated pottery obtained from their Keresan neighbors, primarily the Pueblo of Zia. Eventually, many of the Zia designs were incorporated into a new style of pottery which the Jemez again began to produce around the turn of the century. Though based on Zia design, this new style of Jemez pottery soon emerged with a distinctive Jemez signature of black-on-red and black/red on tan.”

Helen Shendo of Jemez Pueblo innovatively combined a diverse selection of traditional design elements to fashion this late 20th Century jar. With precise execution, she painted feather motifs, different bird designs and cloud and lightning forms in a selection of various colored slips.

On a decorated panel set between a red polished underbody and rim, the artist gracefully combined these assorted elements in shades of black, white, grey, red and tan creating a delightful visual mosaic of shape and color. The red polished slip of the pot has a lovely micaceous sheen to it. The potter placed two black arrows on the underbody and a single step design on the rim. It is a beautifully fabricated jar, a great example of how today’s Jemez potters are reviving an age-old tradition in a creative new manner.  

Helen Shendo is the daughter of Jemez potter Geronima Shendo and the niece of Juanita Fragua. She signed the bottom of the jar with her name and Jemez Pueblo.

Condition: The Jemez Pueblo Polychrome Jar by Helen Shendo is in very good condition, there are some very small areas of shelf wear and a few small spalls, but nothing that affects the overall look of the jar.

Provenance: From a gentleman collector in Albuquerque.

Recommended Reading: Southwestern Pottery: Anasazi to Zuni by Allan Hayes, Carol Hayes and John Blom