Adobe Gallery Blog

Native American belief systems feature a layered perspective of worldly features. It appears that to also be the case with the inhabitants of the Casas Grandes pueblos. Their hierarchy places birds as associated with the sky-Upper World-humans with the Middle World and snakes with the Under World.
Birds and serpents are often represented on pottery from Casas Grandes and human faces often portrayed on effigy vessels. According to authorities, snake presentations are often detailed enough to actually identify the species. There is no indication that snakes were used for subsistence, indicating that they were more revered as spiritually powerful.

In this jar, two serpents are presented in relief, coiled and ready to strike. One of them has a black line painted on its back and the other has black dots over its body. On one side of the jar, two serpentine figures are scratched into the surface of the clay and on the opposing side several serpents are painted in black outlining. Basically each of the serpents is presented differently.

The jar has a small collar rim, below which are two pair of drilled holes through which sinew might have been threaded for the purpose of hanging the jar.
Condition: the jar is in remarkable condition for its age. There are some scratches and abrasions but nothing of significance. There is one hole an inch below the rim which appears to be the result of a probing stick-a technique used by those probing the ground in search of pottery.

Provenance: from the collection of Katherine H. Rust
Recommended Reading: Secrets of Casas Grandes, edited by Melissa S. Powell

Title: Casas Grandes Black on Red Jar with Serpents
Potter Unknown
Category: Pre-Columbian or Prehistoric
Origin: Mexico
Medium: clay, pigment
Size: 6-1/4" tall x 8-3/4" diameter
Item # C3309F