Santa Ana Pueblo mid-1800s Jar [R]

In a personal note from Frank Harlow to Duane Anderson in 2006, Harlow stated:

“The Santa Ana jar is quite striking in its rather strong depiction of a single Eiffel-Tower pattern in two different vertical orientations.  It’s interesting that all of the figures are attached only to the lower (not lowest) framing line, and that there appears to be no framing line for attachment of the upper edges.  I think that your date of 1850 for the pot is pretty close to correct; possibly it could be a few years earlier, but not likely much later than that date.  The particular figure in the upper design band is also a significant indicator of the early pots of Santa Ana Polychrome Form A made during the period 1830-1850.”

There is very little else we can add to Harlow’s description except to state that this is the earliest Santa Ana jar we have had in the gallery.  The brown pigment used for the neck design was also used to outline the orange Eiffel Tower designs.  Apparently, the brown pigment was not as durable as the orange clay pigment.

Condition: examination with UV light does not reveal any repairs or restoration.  There is a 2-1/2-inch long vertical crack from the rim which needs to be stabilized.

Provenance: this Santa Ana Pueblo mid-1800s Jar is from the collection of a gentleman from Arizona

Recommended Reading:  The Pottery of Santa Ana Pueblo by Frank Harlow, Dwight Lanmon and Duane Anderson