Exquisite Four-Color Olla with Traditional Laguna Design [SOLD]

This jar is one of the most beautifully balanced and exquisitely shaped vessels the artist has brought to us.  The rounded body and high shoulder provide an excellent area for displaying the decoration.  The design includes bird features on the main body and corn plants on the neck area.  The square boxes contain split rectangular elements that are a hallmark of Laguna Pueblo historic vessels.

Max Early was born into the Turkey Clan of his mother and Bear Clan of his father at Laguna Pueblo.  He grew up with his grandparents.  During his early teenage years, he painted some of his grandmother's pottery.  He refined his technique to a personal touch, while maintaining traditional Laguna design symbols and compositions.  A good example is his inclusion of the boxes with split rectangular elements in this jar—elements often seen on historic Laguna pottery.

Since 1994, Early has continued to be honored as a top prize-winning artist at Santa Fe Indian Market.  At the same time, he has pursued his higher education degree at the University of New Mexico, leaving little time for making pottery.

Condition:  This jar was made in 2006 and is in original condition

Provenance: from the Jeffrey Trent collection.

Recommended Reading:  Southern Pueblo Pottery, 2,000 Artist Biographies by Gregory Schaaf