Santa Clara Black Carved Jar with Avanyu Design [SOLD]

Helen Shupla was best known for her magnificent melon jars, but she was making more traditional Black-on-black and Black carved pottery before she ventured into melon jars. This jar is typical of the high quality of her early work. A very stylized Avanyu (water serpent) wraps around the body to completely encircle the jar. The head of the Avanyu is near the base of the jar.  The spiral in mid-body (see below) is the plume of the serpent’s head.  Follow the spiral down and you will see the serpent’s eye and mouth.   A lightning bolt darts from the mouth (see above).

The piece is signed Helen Shupla Santa Clara Pueblo.

Condition:  It is in very good condition

Provenance:  from the collection of a gentleman in Oregon

Recommended Reading:  Santa Clara Pottery Today by Betty LeFree