SPECIAL OFFER: RARE Kewa Polychrome Small Water Canteen [SOLD]

Special Offer: This Santo Domingo small canteen is being offered at a 37% price reduction from the original price of $575 to a new price of $360.

Santo Domingo potters were early to adapt their pottery to the needs of travelers. They made shapes the travelers were familiar with and they made small pieces the travelers could conveniently take in their baggage.

By late 19^th century, Santo Domingo had developed a style of decoration that was unlike the styles of any of the other pueblos. The designs consisted of a strong bold form of ornamentation in black on cream-colored background, with only red used separate from the decorated area. Red was not used in the design pattern. The design basically consisted of simple geometric patterns repeated around the vessel body. Neck zones usually had elements in repetition as well.

Canteens, such as this small one, were obviously made for the tourist trade. There was no function for such a small vessel at the pueblo. I was surprised to find, in searching our data base, that in the eight years that we have recorded our inventory on-line, that we have not had a single example of a Santo Domingo canteen recorded. Also, in checking the book, in checking the book “A River Apart” (see reference below) released in conjunction with the Cochiti/Santo Domingo pottery exhibit at the Museum of Indian Arts and Culture, there is not a single example of a water canteen from Santo Domingo.

Perhaps canteens are rarer than I thought. I had not considered this to be true before now. But, in reflection, it must be a shape that the potters there did not consider appropriate for the tourist trade, or, perhaps, it is a more difficult shape to make. At any rate, here is the first Santo Domingo canteen we have had in the eight years we have been located in Santa Fe.