Potsuwi’i Incised Revival Jar [R]

Ohkay Owingeh Pueblo has a long history of pottery production going back probably a thousand years, but by 1890 production had come to a complete halt. Perhaps it was the pueblo’s close location to Espanola, NM (about 6 miles) and the availability there of commercial goods that made pottery production unnecessary.

In 1930, Regina Cata organized a pottery study group with the intent of reviving pottery production; eight potters studied ancient potsherds of wares made at their pueblo in earlier times and selected Potsuwi’i Incised Ware (1450-1500) as a basis for a contemporary pottery type.

Decorative zones of geometric fine lines with selected areas of polished red slip were the final result. This tall jar is a fine example of contemporary Ohkay Owingeh Incised Ware. Micaceous slip decorates the incisions. Dominguita learned from her mother, Tomasita Montoya, who was one of the original eight potters.

Stone polished red zones at the base and neck enclose the unslipped beige zone of incisions scratched into the clay. Micaceous clay has been painted into the incisions. The jar is in very good condition. There is a slight fire cloud in one area, testament to an outdoor firing.

The jar is signed on the underside Dominguita Sisneros.