Historic Tesuque Pueblo 19th-century Rain God Figurine [SOLD]

This figurine is typical of the style made at the turn of the 20^th century.  The figurine was covered in cream slip over which the design was painted in yellow and pink within black outlined elements.  The figurine has painted designs on his head, cheeks, neck and on the jar on his lap.  The painted designs are typical of the early 1900s figurines.  This is one of the more elaborately painted rain gods which makes one suspect it is one of the earlier ones before demand increased so significantly that potters began producing faster and decorating less.

Condition:  the figurine has had his head reattached with glue and there is a small chip on the rim of the jar.

Provenance: from a gentleman in Taos, NM whose grandfather owned a curio store near the town plaza.

Reference and Recommended Reading: The Native American Curio Trade in New Mexico by Jonathan Batkin