Black Polished Double Shoulder Tewa Traditional Olla [SOLD]

This is a strikingly beautiful Santa Clara Pueblo jar dating to circa 1900-1920. The vessel is constructed of coiled native clay, with a stone-polished black slip body. It has the beautiful high neck Tewa water jar form with the intriguing double shoulder just above mid body. The double shoulder has been described as representing a rainbow. The neck flares outward in a graceful roll and the rim is fluted with slight indentations every inch or so. It has been said that this rim style represents rain.

All blackwares are red-slipped, and then polished to perfection. The pottery is then fired in a reduction firing, a technique that causes the red surface to change to a polished black surface.

Condition:  the jar is in very good condition with a couple of minor rim chips, really minor.

Provenance:  from a gentleman in Santa Fe

Recommended Reading:  Santa Clara Pottery Today by Betty LeFree