Small Zuni Polychrome Historic Pottery Jar, circa 1880s [SOLD]

This small pottery jar has all the attributes of its larger Zuni Pueblo model. It has a puki impression line on the brown underbody, indicating that its start was in a small bowl. The underbody is concave. The polychrome body is very traditional in shape with a globular bulge, reversing to a curved neck and a slightly rolled out rim. We are dating this small jar circa 1880s due to its strong puki flexure and limited design typology.

The pottery body designs are floral elements, enclosed above and below with framing lines.  The framing lines at the shoulder are wide and split with a ceremonial line break.  The lower framing line is slimmer.  There is a pair of framing lines just below the rim.  The design on the neck is very traditionally Zuni in style—hook with fine lines and arrowhead with parallel lines.  

The entire design was executed in brown pigment.  At first glance, one might think this vessel is monochromatic. It is in fact polychrome not monochromatic. If one looks directly to the left of the scroll, within the small triangular spaces, one can observe red there and in the swoop directly below the line hatched area about the neck.

Condition: minor rim chips and paint abrasion, with a beautiful patina.

Provenance: this Small Zuni Polychrome Historic Pottery Jar, circa 1880s is from a private collection

Recommended Reading:  The Pottery of Zuni Pueblo by Harlow and Lanmon