Tesuque Pueblo Small Historic Pictorial Jar [SOLD]

This small jar could not have more pictures painted on it if the potter had wanted to.  There is a human figure, an Avanyu (water serpent), deer, and three flying birds, all of which are very charming and somewhat primitive in style.  The designs are painted on the traditional cream slip and framed with a pair of framing lines at the top of the designs and another pair at the bottom. None of the four framing lines features a ceremonial line break. 

The jar has a red rim and the inner lip at the rim has an interruption that appears to have been made to rest a spoon handle.  It is quite possible this jar was made for use as a sugar bowl and it probably had a lid.  Many of the pueblo potters in the vicinity of Santa Fe made items such as this for sale to Santa Fe households and for the tourist market.

Condition:  the jar is in excellent condition.

Provenance: ex. coll. Washington, DC pueblo pottery collector

Recommended Reading: Historic Pottery of the Pueblo Indians 1600-1880 by Frank and Harlow