Very Large Ohkay Owingeh Polychrome Storage Jar [SOLD]

In 1930 Regina Cata organized a pottery study group at San Juan Pueblo with the intent of revitalizing pottery production. The group studied ancient potsherds of wares made at San Juan in earlier times and selected Potsuwi‘i Incised Ware (1450-1500) as a basis for a contemporary pottery type. By the 1950s, further development resulted in deep carved polychrome wares, and incised wares, both of which are still being produced today.

This is a magnificent example of a large San Juan storage jar from the 1950s revival period. It has a tall and elongated body with a high shoulder and a short neck. The neck and underbody are finished in stone-polished red slip, and the body is a polychrome matte slip featuring design elements that possibly could be a katsina face with feathers, surrounded by clouds.

The circle with the face and clouds appears to be the body of a bird as evidenced by the bird’s head and beak extending to the right of the circle.

This jar is of the 1950s revival period style and is the largest storage jar from this period that we have ever had in the gallery.

Condition: very good condition with some minor abrasions to the matte finish.

Recommended Reading:  There is a good explanation of the San Juan pottery revival in Pueblo Pottery of the New Mexico Indians: Ever Constant, Ever Changing by Betty Toulouse

Provenance: from the collection of a California resident