Ohkay Owingeh San Juan Pueblo Historic Traditional Storage Jar

This is a classic and beautifully preserved example of a historic San Juan Pueblo (Ohkay Owingeh) Red-on-tan pottery jar, typically dating from the late 19th to early 20th century. The jar features the signature San Juan style: a highly polished, rich red slip applied to the upper two-thirds of the body, while the lower third is left unslipped, revealing the natural tan/buff clay paste that has been meticulously stone-polished.

The interior is showing a smooth, wide mouth and a well-finished inside surface typical of utilitarian storage vessels meant for easy access The lower, unslipped section displays prominent dark patches known as fire clouds. These are natural, highly desirable aesthetic markings caused by direct contact with burning fuel (often wood or dung) during the traditional open-air firing process.

The vessel has a robust, low-slung globular body with a subtly inverted rim. The slight irregularities and minor rim wear are excellent indicators of authentic historic use within the Pueblo prior to entering the art market.

Prior to the 1930s revival of incised pottery at San Juan, the potters primarily excelled in these undecorated, duochrome wares. They relied entirely on the elegance of the form, the contrast between the slip and base clay, and the brilliance of the stone-polished surface to create visual appeal. Jars of this scale and form were essential utilitarian objects, used for storing grains, dried goods, or water.

Condition: very good condition with some rim abrasions and a surface scratch on the red slip.

Provenance: from the collection of a client of Adobe Gallery

Recommended Reading:

- Pueblo Pottery of the New Mexico Indians: Ever Constant, Ever Changing by Betty Toulouse

- Two Hundred Years of Historic Pueblo Pottery: The Gallegos Collection by Francis H. Harlow

TAGS: Southwest Indian Pottery, San Juan Pueblo, Historic Pottery