Zuni Pueblo Large Cylindrical Pottery Storage Jar [R]

Zuni pottery production has been a continuing process for hundreds of years.  Early production was for use at the pueblo.  When interest arose by museums and collectors, pottery was then produced for those markets.  There have been several revivals in pottery production at the pueblo but those revivals just meant an increase in production to serve the new interest.  There was never a lull in making pottery for pueblo use.

 Jennie Laate, art teacher at Zuni High School, was instrumental in interesting high school students in following the traditions of the pueblo by learning to make pottery.  She acquired an electric kiln for the school classes and allowed the students to fire their wares in the kiln.  She felt that teaching them to make pottery in the traditional manner was sufficient and that they could learn to fire outdoors at a later date.  Unfortunately, most of her students continue to fire in electric kilns.

This large storage jar by Alan Lasiloo was expertly created in the traditional coil method and the walls are extremely thin, much like traditional Acoma pottery.  There is a micaceous slip applied to the vessel walls, inside and out.  Traditional Zuni designs of birds and heartline deer decorate the jar.  Lasiloo attended the Institute of American Indian Arts in Santa Fe and perhaps honed his skills in those class sessions.  He obviously is an outstanding potter. 

Condition:  excellent condition with minor abrasion to paint in one area below one deer’s feet

Provenance: from a gentleman in California

Recommended Reading: Zuni Pottery by Marian Rodee and James Ostler