Historic Kewa Pueblo Traditional Storage Jar [SOLD]

Apparently the potters at Kewa Pueblo were not prolific in the late 1800s as evidenced by the sparse collections made for the Smithsonian in 1879 and 1880. They apparently made what was needed for their daily use. What they did make, however, was of the highest quality according to recorded statements by early collectors.

Production increased after 1880 following the building of a railroad stop at the pueblo. The continental trains made daily stops at the pueblo and allowed the potters to board and sell their wares. Some of the merchandise sold was smaller tourist items but largely what were sold were the traditional wares, the same as made for pueblo use. The quality remained high.

In addition to making pottery for sale, the potters continued their tradition of making pottery for their own use and the use of others. Apparently, Kewa Pueblo potters made storage jars for trade to Cochiti people who were busy making figurine pottery rather that vessel shapes. They also made storage jars for sale to the merchants and residents of Santa Fe. Early tradition was to sell grain to Santa Fe merchants and include the storage jar the grain was in at the time of the sale.

This storage jar is a good example of one that may have been sold to Spanish residents in near-by towns. It just recently came to us from a Spanish family from Cuba, New Mexico. It is quite possible that his jar has been in this family or other non-Pueblo families since it was made around 1880-1900.

This jar has a bulbous body and a short neck, typical of small storage jars and unlike the shapes of water jars or ollas. The design is that most associated with this pueblo—that is, black triangles on a cream background slip. The triangles are placed in differing arrangements—up, down and sideways and connected to sometimes form stars. The underbody of the vessel is stone-polished red slip and there is a wide red band just below the design area. Double framing lines form borders for the body design and the neck design. Stone-polished red slip covers the interior of the neck area. The bottom of the jar is slightly rounded as is typical for storage jars, however, it sits well.

The jar is in beautiful condition for a specimen that has passed its centennial year and more.