Very Large Pottery Jar from Kewa Pueblo [SOLD]

This large storage jar was purchased by the current owner directly from the potter about 15 years ago and the artist told him at that time that it was used in the kiva for holding water but he would sell it since he made it and owned it.

According to Gregory Schaaf, in the referenced book below, “Vidal Aguilar makes some of the largest polychrome ollas at Santo Domingo in the Aguilar family tradition.  His pottery is hand coiled and polished.  His black paint is a mineral pigment used centuries ago, rather than the typically used Guaco or Mountain Bee plant. His red & white paints are natural clay.  He fires his pottery in a pit.”

The artist divided the large surface into three horizontal bands for decorating the jar.  Each band has design elements in square boxes that are repeated around the jar. The jar dates to circa 2000.  It is certainly one of the largest jars having been made at Kewa Pueblo in the last few decades.

Condition: very good condition

Reference: Southern Pueblo Pottery: 2,000 Artist Biographies by Gregory and Angie Schaaf

Provenance:  from the gentleman who purchased the jar from the artist in 2000 at which time he lived at Cochiti Lake, NM and now lives in San Francisco.