Polychrome Santo Domingo Olla, circa 1920s [R]

Made circa 1920, this vessel exhibits the classic traits of late Santo Domingo polychrome. The neck interior is red-slipped, with a black rim top. The under body is stone-polished bare paste with a 1-1/2-inch rag-wiped red band. The cream/off-white slip is rag-wiped bentonite with black vegetal designs, all of which are broken with one vertically oriented ceremonial break.

The neck designs have, at times, been referred to as the “tulip” design—evident when viewed in a vertical plane. The main body design, below the distinct shoulder, consists of rain clouds.

The jar is bold and striking, partly due to the large expanse of open design and partly due to the use of a very strong dark black vegetal paint. It has a few minor scratches but nothing significant, otherwise it is in very good condition and displays as a very impressive object.