Kiua Polychrome Cochiti Variety circa 1840s Storage Jar [SOLD]

Pottery of this early period from Kewa (formerly Santo Domingo) and Cochiti Pueblos has traditionally been designated as Kiua Polychrome, with an origin stated as one of the two pueblos. This large storage jar has an origin of Cochiti Pueblo, so it designation is Kiua Polychrome Cochiti Variety.

The jar has a red rim that continues on into the neck of the jar as a rag-wiped band in the interior. There is a pair of framing lines at the neck and also at the base of the bentonite-slipped decorated area. All the framing lines feature the traditional ceremonial line break. A wide black band, flanked by two thinner black bands, encircles the shoulder of the jar.  Each of these three bands has a ceremonial line break. A wide red band was wiped over the un-slipped stone-polished underbody.

The featured main design is a volute element outlined on the interior and exterior of the curve with black cloud designs.  Attached to the exterior of the circle is an element, similar to an ear of corn, filled with cross hatching and sprouting leaf-like elements at its end.  This design element is repeated around the body of the jar.  Triple-leaf designs are shown around the shoulder.

Only the upper half of the vessel is designed with elements, the lower half being the clay of the jar without design and which has been stone polished.  This is indicative of jar designs that pre-date 1850.  The interior of the jar is fully stone polished, a technique designed to seal the interior for protection.

Potters at Cochiti Pueblo are not known for having made large quantities of pottery for their own use or for sale.  The exception is that in the late 1870s and into the1880s they made many figurines for sale and that is an item for which they became famous.  Apparently, they were content to import vessels from other pueblos during those decades and later.  Fortunately, before the craze for their figurative pottery in late 1870s, they apparently were making utilitarian vessels for their use.  This storage jar, dating to the 1840s, is a survivor from their early period of making vessels.

Condition: It appears that may have been a crack at the rim out into the shoulder. A leather strap was installed around the neck to enhance the strength.  This is a typical native repair when there are cracks near the neck.

Provenance: from the collection of a resident of Colorado

Recommended Reading: Pottery of the Pueblos of New Mexico 1700-1840 by Jonathan Batkin