Zuni Pueblo Child’s Historic Pottery Water Jar [SOLD]

This historic Zuni Pueblo jar dates to the late 1800s. We're able to date the piece with confidence because of the soft red underbody—later pieces would display a dark brown tone around the base. The look and feel of the piece suggest the late 1800s as well, but we're always pleased to see a specific attribute that reinforces our thoughts on the date of a piece.

The jar's shape is beautiful. Its strong shoulder dips down just a bit before curving upward to a slightly flared rim. Taking scale into consideration, the neck is just a bit taller than that which would appear on a larger jar. This modification works quite well with the smaller scale used here.

The designs are similarly attractive. The unknown potter who created this piece chose not to include the typical rosette or medallion designs, instead creating an elemental version of the traditional Zuni design. Four heartline deer appear within the primary design band. They're somewhat primitive in comparison to those that appear elsewhere, but every bit as beautiful, and perhaps more so to those who appreciate spirited design work. The upper band circles the neck in traditional Zuni designs, and the two bands are separated by a pair of lines with a ceremonial break. This is an exceptional example of the child-sized water jars that were produced at many pueblos during the historic era.

What is a Heartline?  The heartline is used primarily by Zuni Pueblo potters and can be seen in many animals – usually a deer (heartline deer).  The line from the mouth to the heart signifies the "breath of life."

Condition: excellent condition, light repair/stabilization around a vertical rim crack

Provenance: this Zuni Pueblo Child's Historic Pottery Water Jar is from a private collection

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

TAGS: Zuni Pueblo, old pottery