Special Value Offer: Kewa (Santo Domingo) Jar with Maltese Cross Design [SOLD]

Special Value Offer: The consignor has authorized a 30% price reduction from the original price of $4250 to a new price of $2975.

There are instances where the Pueblos adapted Christian symbolism into their culture, whether it was secular or spiritual.  It is obvious that Catholicism was taken into the pueblos 400 years ago.  What is not so obvious is the use by potters of such religious symbols in their designs.  Some of what we might see as strong Christian design elements may be just our interpretation and was not in the mind of the potter at the time.

This jar features a main design element of four strong pairs of rain clouds impacting each other, but the sources of the storm clouds on their outer edges have a strong resemblance to Maltese Crosses.

When the Spaniards came to New Mexico in the 16^th century, they brought with them beliefs and symbols that were common to soldiers of the cross since the Crusades.  The Maltese Cross is one of those symbols.  In its standard form, it is an eight-pointed cross.  There are various explanations about the symbolism of the eight points.  One is that they stand for the eight beatitudes of Christ’s Sermon on the Mount.  It is probable that the Spaniards carried the cross and its symbolism with them when they came in contact with the Pueblo Indians of New Mexico.

This bold design is featured on opposing sides of the jar and they are separated by three-leaf plants on the other opposing sides.  The jar has a tilt to it of slightly less than an inch.  The red wiped-on band below the double framing lines at the base of the cream slip would indicate a date of the 1920s.

Condition: the jar is in very good condition.  Examination with UV light does not reveal any repairs or restoration.

Provenance: from the collection of a gentleman from Colorado

Recommended Reading: A River Apart: The Pottery of Cochiti & Santo Domingo Pueblos by Valerie Verzuh, et