San Ildefonso Pueblo Polychrome Small Jar

Carlos Dunlap, Jr. was the son of San Ildefonso potter Carmelita Dunlap and San Carlos Apache artist Carlos Dunlap, Sr. He was an excellent potter and painter of pottery. His, as well as his mother’s, pottery was generally large in scale and thick-walled—more so than traditional San Ildefonso wares. He painted his pieces with traditional designs executed with precise detail.

This small jar is relatively thin-walled and is beautifully balanced. It is symmetrically rounded and sits level. The matte paint that forms the designs is as precise in outline and definition as one could expect. That is the way Carlos always painted his pottery—with precision. Carlos sometimes also painted his mother’s pottery for her.

Some may call this shape a bowl but we feel that when the wall turns inward at the rim, it is then considered a jar.  Either terminology is acceptable.

The jar is signed Carlos Sunrise San Ildefonso Pueblo on the underside.

It's a shame Carlos passed away prematurely at age 23. He was surely destined to become a major force in pueblo pottery innovations. 

Condition: excellent condition.  A few minor spots of paint abrasion have been professionally touched up.

Provenance: from the collection of a New Mexico gentleman