Historic OLLA from Tesuque Pueblo circa 1900

This exceptional pottery jar, a product of an accomplished potter of Tesuque Pueblo, is believed to date back to around 1900. Historical references indicate that Tesuque artisans transitioned from polished red rims to black rims as early as 1880, but the practice did continue until around 1920. [Batkin 1987:57]

The vessel rests on a polished natural clay base, while the body and neck are painted with cream slip, and arranged into two decorative bands — one encircling the neck and the other wrapping the body. Both bands are framed with double black lines that feature a traditional ceremonial line break. Interestingly, only five of the six framing lines feature ceremonial line breaks. The paste has crystalline grains in true Tesuque fashion, which accounts for the ripples on the polished bare-paste underbody.

Historic Tesuque jars were typically devoid of any red slip in their decoration, but they qualify as Polychrome because of the red band applied underneath the decorated area and the red on the rim.

The black designs on the main body float in typical Tesuque fashion. They appear to represent plant and rain designs. Around the neck a zigzag double black band wraps around the vessel with "eye" elements above and below the zigzags.

The jar's shape is notable: a full, globular body that rises into a slightly flared, upturned rim. This form, characteristic of Tesuque ollas from the period, reflects the potters' skill in balancing function and beauty. Though traditional Tesuque pottery largely faded from production by the mid-20th century, this classic form lives on through adaptations by other Pueblo potters.

This olla stands as a beautiful testament to Tesuque's ceramic heritage and its quiet influence on modern Pueblo pottery. It is more than just a piece of pottery; it's a tangible link to a pivotal period in cultural history, a testament to the timeless craftsmanship of the Tesuque people, and a symbol of the adaptability and resilience of their artistic traditions.

Condition: very good condition with a few abrasions at the mid-body of the vessel

Provenance: This Historic OLLA from Tesuque Pueblo circa 1900 is from a client of Adobe Gallery from Arizona.

Recommended Reading: Pottery of the Pueblos of New Mexico 1700-1940 by Jonathan Batkin

TAGS: Southwest Indian Pottery, Historic Pottery, Tesuque Pueblo