San Ildefonso Pueblo Pottery Masterpiece [SOLD]

Russell Sanchez has once again created a masterpiece.  The mid-body of the jar features the traditional San Ildefonso interpretation of the Avanyu (water serpent) but executed in shallow carved form rather than in painted style.  The serpent has an elaborate plume on his head and lightning from his mouth.  His eye is a beautiful Kingman turquoise cab with the finest copper matrix.  The background of the Avanyu is presented in textured matte finish.

Below the mid-body decoration is stone polished black down to and including the footed base, below which is the artist’s signature.  Above the mid-body decoration is a row of the finest hieshe and turquoise imbedded into the clay.  The area from the rim down to the hieshe is covered in all natural green slip into which is carved cloud elements. 

The green slip is from a source high in copper content and is applied just like any slip would be to a jar.  It burnishes beautifully.  The jar body is burnished to an extremely fine mirror-like finish.  Russell fires his pottery to an extremely red hot temperature which greatly increases the hardness.  Most black pottery will disintegrate if water is stored in it but Russell says his pottery will hold water, but I cannot imagine anyone wanting to store water in such a masterpiece.

The lid is black and sienna with a bear perched on top.  Imbedded into the clay are two beautiful all-natural Kingman turquoise cabs.  A dot pattern outlines the edge of the lid.  The jar is equally beautiful with or without the lid and could be displayed with the lid in place or placed next to the jar.

Russell is the grandson of Abel Sanchez (Oqwa Pi) and nephew of Rose Gonzales.  He was born at San Ildefonso Pueblo and attended Pojoaque High School and the College of Santa Fe.  Rose Gonzales, Dora Tse•Pe, and Santa Fe ceramicist Rick Dillingham were instrumental in his career.  Russell has accepted guidance from experts but forged his own techniques and style.  He is recognized as one of the finest of today's potters. Every item he makes is exceptional.

Condition: new condition

Provenance: from the artist

Recommended Reading:  Art of Clay: Timeless Pottery of the Southwest by Lee Cohen