Zuni Pueblo Very Large Historic Pottery Canteen with Heartline Deer [SOLD]

This very large water canteen from Zuni Pueblo has an unusually large body that is globular up to the top, at which point it rises to a peak.  There is a spout, which angles upward slightly, and there are two flat-faced knobs for suspension with a rope.  

The painted design has the traditional Zuni medallion covering the full top of the canteen.  It was executed in brown pigment over the cream slip, and the edge of the medallion was outlined in red slip.  Below the medallion, in a wide band circling around the canteen, is a group of traditional Zuni heartline deer, each with a fawn or two.  The fawn also have heartlines.  The bottom of the canteen is painted red.

We have had Zuni Pueblo canteens in the gallery in the past—although I must say not too many—but never have we had one of such magnificence in size, design, and painted execution. This excellent canteen is typical of the late nineteenth century—circa 1880—with a wide girth and a large decorative surface.

This canteen has a relatively smooth surface without elements of chunkiness.  The potter worked the clay to obtain the finest texture in the finished product.

The design executions at this late-nineteenth century period are generally less crisp, light, and precise than those of twenty years earlier. In this instance, the execution of painted patterns is equal to those of the earlier period. The elements are heavier, with a visual emphasis on the geometric aspects of the design, and less focus on contouring and subtleties of earlier works. Graphic and bold are two terms most suited to this late design-period. The major design concept of this canteen was to execute in black over stone-polish white slip, with only minimal use of red in the design.

The execution of the overall design is the crowning glory of the effort of the potter.   The white slip has taken on a deep patina that attests to its age of over 100 years. 

Condition: Examination with UV light does not indicate any breakage or repairs, however, there is overpaint on the medallion and in the area of one deer and fawn.

Provenance: this Zuni Pueblo Very Large Historic Pottery Canteen with Heartline Deer is from a gentleman from Albuquerque

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

Relative Links: Zuni, pottery