Child Size Kewa Pueblo Jar [SOLD]

The designation “child’s size jar” is not meant to demean the item but to more or less describe its size.  It does not indicate that the jar was made by a child but perhaps was made as a training aid for a young female to use in practicing walking with the jar on her head, with or without water.  Jars of this size also were made for storage of personal items and for sale to tourists.  There could be many reasons for such a jar.

This jar is very typical of those made at Santo Domingo Pueblo in the first quarter of the 20^th century when tourists were visiting the pueblo and the trading post that was located adjacent to the rail tracks.  The daily traffic at Santo Domingo Trading Post necessitated many items of pottery, jewelry and curio items to satisfy the demand of many visitors.  Jars of this size certainly would have been popular because of their convenience for easy transportation.

This jar appears to easily date to the 1920s or 1930s.  It has a concave under-body and is decorated with very traditional Santo Domingo black-on-cream design elements.  It sits at a tilt, which is not considered a flaw, but a natural occurrence from time to time. 

Condition: very good condition with one minor rim chip.

Recommended Reading:  A River Apart: The Pottery of Cochiti & Santo Domingo Pueblos

Provenance: from the collection of a family from Santa Fe