Historic Kewa Pueblo Polychrome Jar with Birds and Flora

Kewa Pueblo potter, Robert Tenorio, aptly described these birds as ones with stomachs full of corn.  Knowing the Kewa interpretation makes the imagery much more interesting. There are two birds on opposite sides and they are separated with vine-like leafy foliage, also on opposite sides.

The jar appears to be from the 1930s decade and is in remarkable condition.  The bentonite slip, which is originally whiter, mellows to a soft cream color with age, as in this jar.  The rim is black and the interior of the neck is red. There is a red framing line just below the rim and, below that, a chain of black triangles.  The birds stand on one of the pair of black framing lines on the lower design. Below the lower black framing line is a wiped-on wide red band. All these traits are indicative of an early 1900s period.

Condition: this Historic Kewa Pueblo Polychrome Jar with Birds and Flora is in excellent condition

Provenance: from a gentleman collector from Colorado

Recommended Reading: THE POTTERY OF SANTO DOMINGO PUEBLO: A Detailed Study of its Decoration by Kenneth Chapman