Santo Domingo Aguilar Pottery Jar with Four Bands of Design [SOLD]

Santo Domingo Pueblo is considered one of the most conservative and secretive of the Rio Grande Pueblos.  Potters apparently were not encouraged to create new designs, they were instead taught to follow tradition and use the recognized designs of the past.  This apparently changed for the Aguilar sisters, who were frustrated by decreasing sales of traditional wares. They consulted with trader Julius Seligman, who encouraged them to experiment with new designs to attract buyers.

This jar could possibly be one of their early attempts to innovate.  The designs are not what was being seen on other jars of the time, and the use of four design bands rather than three is very unique.  The body of the jar is divided into two panels—a larger one atop a smaller one. The lower panel features the more traditional Santo Domingo bilateral symmetrical units in sequence.  The main body panel is sectioned off in rectangular boxes, each of which contains a black element expanding outward to the right. The element may be a cloud design of some sort. Sinusoidal lines resting on the shoulder add a dynamic dimension that seems to be in constant movement around the jar.  The neck design elements are free-floating symmetrical pairs of black units, hovering like clouds within the space created by framing lines.

One must recall that the Aguilar sisters’ Black-on-cream pottery was produced from the late 1800s to about 1910, when they had switched to a new concept.  Jars like this one ultimately disappeared from their repertoire. Today, they serve as an excellent example of early innovations by the Aguilar sisters.

Condition:  very good condition

Relative Links: Santo Domingo Pueblo, pottery, Felipita Aguilar Garcia, Asunción Aguilar Caté