Over the years, I have seen many Zuni ollas and many that were most impressive, but this small child's water jar is certainly among the finest and most striking one I recall.  The vessel shape is rounded and curves in to a gracious rim that ends in a bead of clay that overhangs the rim.

The painted neck decoration is the traditional design seen on most Zuni ollas, but the design on the jar is somewhat a departure in that there are no houses containing the deer, no medallions separating the design and no small Zuni birds dividing the jar design in half.  Instead, the deer are presented to the viewer in large scale separated only by a floral-like element, a refreshing change from the traditional Zuni design.

The jar has a marvelous patination from decades of use and just sitting around gathering dust and household smoke and other residue, yet it is still in marvelous condition—both the vessel and the design.

Provenance: From the private collection of a Santa Fe resident.