Zuni Pueblo Polychrome Rainbird Design Storage Jar by Lawsaiyateseta

A Zuni Pueblo pottery jar similar to this one is illustrated in Harlow and Lanmon (page 509) and attributed to Lawsaiyateseta Lonkeena. In the same reference, there is a photograph of the potter with a similar jar balanced on her head, and another photograph of a similar jar. In 2001, Adobe Gallery featured a group of historic Zuni jars, one of which was quite similar to this jar, though the potter was unidentified at the time. Further illustrations in Harlow and Lanmon, specifically Figure 32.19 (page 438) and Figure 35.12 (page 533), depict jars of similar shape and design, indicating that Lonkeena favored this design.

All the pottery jars are very similar in vessel shape and almost identical in Rainbird design. Harlow and Lanmon state that Lonkeena made the jar which is shown balanced on her head, and likely created this style, making the other similar jars. It is probable that this jar dates to circa 1910, around the time Lonkeena would have been approaching 30 years of age.

According to Harlow and Lanmon:
"Lawsaiyatesetsa (or Kaiyutsalugtetsa) Lonkeena (ca. 1881-1958), the woman referred to by many at Zuni as Mrs. Lonkeena, is pictured (p. 509). She was recorded in the 1916 Pueblo census as Isie Kaiyutsalugtetsa (born 1881), wife of Longkeena (born 1866). Her parents were identified as Nashe (born 1851) and Layawtsalugtetsa (born 1853). Similar information is also recorded in the 1920, 1924, 1930, and 1934 censuses, but Lonkeena's wife's name is given as Laysaiyatesetsa. Lonkeena was the brother of the potter Lawatsa Paylusi."

It is believed that this Rainbird design may be a family design, possibly originated by Mrs. Lonkeena. The beak of the bird is the curved black-outlined shape at the shoulder of the jar, filled with cross-hatched black fine lines. Four red feathers stick out from the head, and three are in the black curved line at the body. The body then curves downward, filled with black-hatched lines ending in three red tail feathers. This design is repeated four times around the jar's body.

Thanks to the extensive research by Lanmon and Harlow, we can make attributions to potters long since gone.

Condition: Overall condition of this Zuni Pueblo Polychrome Rainbird Design Storage Jar is very good. Examined under UV (blacklight), there is a visible crack around ¾ of the circumference of the lower half of the vessel. Approximately four smaller cracks run vertically down from the crack around the circumference, all restored and stable.

Provenance: this Zuni Pueblo Polychrome Rainbird Design Storage Jar by Lawsaiyateseta is from a client of Adobe Gallery

Reference: Lanmon, Dwight P. and Francis H. Harlow. The Pottery of Zuni Pueblo, 2008.

TAGS: puki depression, pottery, Zuni Pueblo, old pottery, Lawsaiyateseta Lonkeena