Special Value Offer: Cochiti Pueblo Canteen with Lizards in Bas Relief [SOLD]

Special Value Offer: The consignor of this canteen has agreed to offer it at $450 which is a 25% reduction from the original price of $600.

Cochiti Pueblo has a long history of producing figurative pottery. It reached its prime in the last quarter of the 19^th century and the first quarter of the 20^th century. There was a strong revival in the early 1970s with the production of storyteller figurines. Some potters at Cochiti expanded beyond the traditional storyteller figurines and made vessels of varying styles. This wonderful pottery canteen is an example of such an item.

It sits at an angle with the spout turned upward to prevent water from pouring out. Two lizards in bas relief are perched on top of the canteen as if heading for the spout to get a drink. Between the lizards is a fully developed corn stalk.

The canteen is not signed by an artist but resembles items associated with Seferina Ortiz. There is the remnant of a paper label on the bottom but not enough remaining to determine what was printed on it.

Condition: The canteen is now is excellent condition. When we received it, the head of one of the lizards was damaged. That has been professionally repaired by a pottery conservator and is now indistinguishable from its original state.

Provenance: From the estate of Transcendental artist Florence Pierce of Albuquerque who passed away in 2007 at the age of 89.