Historic Laguna Pueblo Four Color Polychrome Jar [SOLD]

C4119i-laguna.jpg

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Artist Unknown
  • Category: Historic
  • Origin: Laguna Pueblo, Ka'waika
  • Medium: clay, pigment
  • Size: 6-1/4” height x 7-⅝” diameter
  • Item # C4119i
  • SOLD

A most unusual design was created by a Laguna Pueblo potter for this historic jar, which probably dates to the early part of the twentieth century, perhaps circa 1920s.  She divided the body into vertical bands that are narrow at the rim and expand as they proceed to the base. She modified the traditional black rectangles, that are divided by a white line, into rectangles of two colors, divided by a white line.  

The rectangles that surround the rim were painted orange and black, except for two adjoining ones that were painted dark red and black.  The rectangles on the next row, which rests on the shoulder of the jar, were painted in orange and black for two adjoining panels and deep red and black for the next two adjoining panels.  This continues around the jar. The lower row features two adjoining panels of orange and black, adjacent to two panels of dark red and black, then three panels of orange and black, and, finally, five panels of dark red and black.

The lack of standardization most certainly was deliberate, not accidental.  Her choice of mixing the colors added a degree of abstractness over formality to the design.  Another aspect of her break with formality was in placing the black over the color in some blocks and color over the black in others.  This mixture resulted in a kaleidoscopic presentation which elevated the design above a strict formal arrangement. She was an innovative artist who expressed her creative approach in suttle manners.

The jar tilts just slightly, measuring 6-¼” on one side and 6” on the other.  It was not signed by the artist.

 

Condition: this Historic Laguna Pueblo Four Color Polychrome Jar is in very good condition.

Provenance: from the personal Southwest Indian Pottery collection of an Albuquerque resident

Recommended Reading: Acoma & Laguna Pottery by Rick Dillingham

Alternate view of the side panel design - The lack of standardization most certainly was deliberate, not accidental.  Her choice of mixing the colors added a degree of abstractness over formality to the design.
Artist Unknown
  • Category: Historic
  • Origin: Laguna Pueblo, Ka'waika
  • Medium: clay, pigment
  • Size: 6-1/4” height x 7-⅝” diameter
  • Item # C4119i
  • SOLD

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