Laguna Pueblo Modern Black-on-white Design Jar

Pottery production declined at Laguna Pueblo in the early 20th century, largely because the men were being employed by the railroad, thereby providing cash income for the families. It was then no longer necessary for the women to make pottery for sale to tourists. They could, and did, purchase pottery from potters at Acoma Pueblo for use in their households. By the mid-20th century, men and women were employed by the uranium mines on the pueblo, so there continued to be no need to produce pottery for sale or for their own use.

Evelyn Cheromiah (1928-2013) was an exception. She was one of the few to continue making pottery. In the 1970s, she received a federal grant to teach pottery making to others at the pueblo, thus sparking revival in pottery production at Laguna. Still, today, there are only a few potters there.

Evelyn had continued, in all ways, to make pottery in the traditional manner. She collected her own clay, used potsherds for temper, mineral and vegetal paints for the designs, and fired in the traditional outdoor firing technique.

This beautifully graceful jar is symmetrical in shape and with the vessel walls as thin, if not thinner, than pottery made at Acoma Pueblo. The entire design is a series of stacked diamonds, some with fine-line design and some with black triangles in the design. The design is continuous from the red base to the rim. The base is concave in the traditional water jar style. It is signed E. Cheromiah Old Laguna Pueblo, N.M. on the underneath.

Evelyn was certainly the most talented Laguna Pueblo potter of the last half of the 20th-century. We purchased many jars from her in the last quarter of that time and every one was graceful in shape and painted to perfection. I don't believe she ever made one that was less than perfect. She will be missed but her daughter Lee Ann Cheromiah continues the tradition.

Condition: this Laguna Pueblo Modern Black-on-white Design Jar is in original condition.

Provenance: Originally from the collection of a family from Oregon who purchased it in 1985 from Adobe Gallery. Now from the estate of the client to whom we sold this in 2015.

Recommended Reading: Acoma & Laguna Pottery by Rick Dillingham

TAGS: Laguna Pueblo, Lee Ann Cheromiah, Mary Cheromiah-Victorino, Modern Pueblo Pottery, Evelyn Cheromiah