Kewa (Santo Domingo) Pueblo Polychrome Child Size Jar [SOLD]

Santo Domingo Pueblo, (now Kewa Pueblo) was on the direct route of the Atchison Topeka & Santa Fe Railroad route from Chicago to California as early as 1880. As a convenience to its travelers, the train stopped at the pueblo long enough for the Indians to board the train and sell their pottery and jewelry. As a result, Santo Domingo potters were early to adapt their pottery to the needs of the travelers. They made shapes the travelers were familiar with and they made small pieces the travelers could conveniently take in their baggage.

This jar or vase, with its gracefully curving rim, is a good example of the style made for sale to the tourists. It is traditional in all aspects of manufacture. It was probably made around 1920. It exhibits the classic traits of late Santo Domingo Polychrome. The interior and the underbody are red-slipped. The rim is black. The cream/off-white is rag-wiped bentonite slip and the floral and leaf designs were executed in black vegetal paint and red clay.

The jar is structurally in very good condition. This is an excellent example of early tourist ware.