Mojave Four-spout Effigy Vessel [SOLD]

Generally, Mojave men were not potters, but Elmer Gates, who was born in 1929 and lived in Poston, Arizona, on the Fort Mohave Reservation, was an exception. He had learned to make pottery from his aunt. He then continued studying all styles of southwestern pottery and working with various techniques. He sold his work at the Colorado River Indian Tribal Museum in the 1970s. Gates was so confident in his chosen profession that he taught a number of young artists of Mojave and Maricopa tribes, as well as non-natives. Santa Fe ceramicist Rick Dillingham studied with Gates.

Effigy vessels like this were true to form in relation to facial and body tattoos as worn by Mojave women and as portrayed on the Mojave dolls.  Effigy vessels were pretty much standardized in that each had a round handle, four spouts for pouring liquid, long beaded earrings and a beaded necklace.  The tattoos would indicate that the vessels were female.  What liquid was held and for what purpose are not documented.  They were not utilitarian as they are too small to hold much liquid and the handle too fragile for transport.  It is quite likely that these were made solely to sell to tourists visiting Needles, California.

This one is signed Elmer Gates, Mojave, 71 on the underside.

Condition: original condition

Recommended Reading:  Mojave Pottery, Mojave People: The Dillingham Collection of Mojave Ceramics by Jill Furst

Provenance:  from the estate of Dorothy A. Hall (1922-2015) passed through the family.