Tesuque Pueblo Historic Small Magnificent Pottery OLLA [SOLD]

This magnificent Tesuque Pueblo small traditional Tewa-shape OLLA has all the characteristics to back up its designated circa 1890 historic date.  This date was assigned when it was part of the collection of the Washington College Museum—stone-polished cream slip, black pigment, and red rim.  

According to Jonathan Batkin, “Collections made at Tesuque between 1870 and 1880 indicate that white-slipped polychrome pottery was the most popular and that the decorative style typical of the pueblo had recently evolved. . . Red rim slip was in almost universal use at Tesuque in 1870, but by the 1880s, black paint or black designs on white slip were commonly substituted for red. [Batkin 1987:57]

This jar features the fanciful designs in use at Tesuque in the 1880s for the body elements and repetitive designs around the neck.  Such designs were not used at any of the other pueblos. The red rim slip continues down the inside of the neck.  The flat base is the stone-polished natural clay of the vessel.

Attached to the base of the jar is a paper label indicating that the jar was catalogued into the Washington College Museum, catalog number S C.102D, but no date of acquisition is noted.  A note on the interior of the jar identifies it as from Tesuque and circa 1890s.

Washington College is in Chestertown, Maryland, across the Chesapeake Bay from Baltimore.  According to the college’s website, “Founded in 1782, Washington College was the first college chartered in the sovereign United States of America. General George Washington lent us his name, donated 50 guineas to our founding, and served on our first Board of Visitors and Governors.”

Such a well-documented jar is a treasure to find.  With the San Ildefonso slip, black pigment, red rim, and museum documentation, it leaves little doubt in one’s mind of what it is.

Condition: very good condition with minor calcium deposits around the rim which is evident of its utilitarian use and expected of a jar of this vintage.

Provenance: We acquired this Tesuque Pueblo Historic Small Magnificent Pottery OLLA in 1997 from an Indian art dealer who is now owner and operator of a trading post on the Navajo Reservation

Reference: Batkin, Jonathan. Pottery of the Pueblos of New Mexico 1700-1940 The Taylor Museum of the Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center

Relative Links: Southwest Indian Pottery, Tesuque Pueblo, Historic Pottery