Modern Laguna Pueblo Polychrome OLLA [SOLD]

The potters of Laguna Pueblo carry a deep and rich tradition, one that in many ways is shared by the nearby Acoma Pueblo. During the mid-twentieth century pottery making had declined dramatically at Laguna Pueblo. Fortunately, in the 1970s, an Anglo woman named Nancy Winslow began teaching pottery classes at the Pueblo. In the first class, which hosted 22 pueblo members, Evelyn Cheromiah was an attendee.

This amazing OLLA, or water jar, was made by Cheromiah in 1987 at Laguna, and purchased by John Barry, who left a note that Evelyn rubbed chicken grease on the finish, and fired it for one hour, using horse and sheep dung as fuel. It is not clear if the chicken grease was rubbed on before or after the firing. The process for making pottery differs slightly across the pueblos, but it's always incredibly intricate and fascinating.

The jar contains customary designs of Laguna pueblo, made in traditional orange, black, and gray over a beige slip. The motif consists largely of numerous geometric patterns, ranging from zigzagging steps, checkerboards, z shapes, and diagonal lines. The potters of Laguna are known for their use of sharp, right-angled geometric shapes of a somewhat architectural nature, and this is what Cheromiah did expertly on this piece. What is different about this modern take of an OLLA versus an historic water jar is that its bottom is flat instead of being concave.

The patterns flow very well together from top to bottom, and each segues consistently into the next. The bottom of the jar is the only part without a geometric element, as it is a simple orange base. Underneath it is signed E. Cheromiah, OId Laguna Pueblo, NM.

Evelyn Cheromiah was one of the few to continue making pottery at Laguna Pueblo after the mid-twentieth century. In the 1970s, she received a federal grant to teach pottery making to others at the pueblo, thus sparking revival in pottery production at Laguna. Still, today, there are only a few potters there.

Evelyn had continued, in all ways, to make pottery in the traditional manner. She collected her own clay, used potsherds for temper, mineral and vegetal paints for the designs, and fired in the traditional outdoor firing technique.

This is an exceptional polychrome jar from the talented Evelyn Cherimiah.

Condition: very good condition

Provenance: this Modern Laguna Pueblo Polychrome OLLA is from the estate of John Barry, dealer, author, and collector of pueblo pottery.

Reference and Recommended Reading: Southern Pueblo Pottery: 2,000 Artist Biographies by Gregory and Angie Schaaf 

TAGS: Laguna Pueblo, Lee Ann Cheromiah, Mary Cheromiah-Victorino, Modern Pueblo Pottery, Evelyn Cheromiah