Mata Ortiz Large Polychrome Seed Jar [SOLD]

The serpent symbol has been used on old world and new world pottery for hundreds of years.  New Mexico pueblo potters have used the horned serpent—referred to as the Avanyu—for several hundred years.  In Mexico, Casas Grandes potters have done the same.  The Native peoples obviously considered the plumed serpent to be significant.

Scholars have debated its meaning to prehistoric Indians but have not arrived at a definitive answer.  The consensus is that it is a water serpent and is associated with water and fertility.  The serpent on this jar does not feature horns or a head plume but it likely is a representation of the water serpent with the potter taking liberty to make changes.

This is a mid-20^th century jar and is signed with the initials E.S.T., a potter we have not yet identified from the Mata Ortiz potters of that time.  These earlier Mata Ortiz pottery vessels were made much closer to the style and coloration of the pre-Columbian pottery of the Casas Grandes of the 1200-1450 periods.  Later developments by Mata Ortiz potters vary considerably from these earlier ones.

Condition:  Very good condition

Provenance: from the Katherine H. Rust collection

Recommended Reading: The Many Faces of Mata Ortiz by Susan Lowell, et al.