San Ildefonso Large Polychrome Jar [SOLD]

Blue Corn and her husband, Sandy, spent two years in the 1960s experimenting with slips in an effort to revive the 19th century Polychrome wares of San Ildefonso Pueblo. She stone polished the base slip in the manner it was done before introduction of the Cochiti slip in 1905, which required only rag polishing. In doing this, she achieved a highly burnished finish. To this she applied the matte paint designs at which she was so adept. 

Blue Corn made redware and blackware during the earlier part of her career and specialized in polychrome wares during the latter part of her career. Most collectors prefer her polychrome wares.  Normally, she applied a creamy white slip as the base coat, but in this jar, it appears she eliminated the slip and stone polished the natural clay.  Over the polished surface, she painted the designs using black and green slips.  The lower part of the vessel, below the design section, is slipped in beige micaceous clay.  This jar is certainly one of her creative ventures that turned out to be successful.

Condition:  The jar is in original condition.  There is one minor blister bubble and one very minor pit where probably a grain of sand popped out.

Provenance: ex.coll. Minnesota pottery collector

Recommended Reading: Pueblo Indian Pottery: 750 Artist Biographies, c.1800-Present