Rare Historic Tesuque Pueblo Black-on-Cream OLLA, circa 1880

The Tesuque Pueblo Pottery Jar: A Testament to Timeless Craftsmanship and Cultural Transition

This exceptional pottery jar, a product of the Tesuque Pueblo, is believed to date back to around 1880. Historical references indicate that Tesuque artisans transitioned from painted red rims to black rims around this time, making this jar with its red rim a unique artifact of that transitional period.  [Batkin 1987:57]

For those familiar with our collection, it's no secret that we hold a special appreciation for the works produced at Tesuque during the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. This was a time of significant shift in production, moving from utilitarian wares to items crafted specifically for the burgeoning tourist market. Innovative potters and dealers responded to this change by creating a variety of intriguing forms. Impressively, many of these pieces retained the striking visual character of their functional predecessors, a quality clearly exhibited in this jar.

The jar itself is small and round, with a dramatically flared rim. Its form is reminiscent of traditional Tewa water jars, albeit reduced in size to facilitate quick sales and easy transportation.

The jar's design features two distinct bands, each bordered by three pairs of parallel lines. The upper band encircles the flared neck and employs a recurring pattern of curved line trios, symbolizing rain. The lower band extends over the shoulder and descends to just a few inches above the base. Within this band, a lively array of plant-like elements suggests the life-giving role of the rain symbolized above. A wide, deep red band encircles the lower part of the jar, adding a bold touch to the overall design.

This Tesuque Pueblo pottery jar 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 some slip abrasions and superficial cracks

Provenance: this Rare Historic Tesuque Pueblo Black-on-Cream OLLA, circa 1880 is from a private collection

Recommended Reading:

- Batkin, Jonathan. The Native American Curio Trade in New Mexico, 2008.

- Historic Pottery of the Pueblo Indians, 1600-1880 by Larry Frank and Francis Harlow.

TAGS: Historic Pottery, Tesuque Pueblo