San Ildefonso Pueblo Red Carved Jar with Avanyu Design [SOLD]

Blue Corn was one of the greatest ceramists of all time. She made pottery for over 60 years. Her house was located across the plaza from that of Maria Martinez but there was no competition between the two artisans. She was one of the most honored of 20^th century potters. She received the 1981 New Mexico Governor's Award (New Mexico's highest artistic award) and she was acclaimed for her artistic accomplishments in the Wall Street Journal and in AMEPNKA, a Soviet Union journal. She won awards at State Fairs, Indian Market, and other exhibits.

This red-slipped small jar features the Avanyu water serpent encircling the circumference of the jar.  It is outlined by carving the adjoining clay away to leave the Avanyu at the same surface level as the area around the rim.  The entire area below the Avanyu was carved away to the level of the outlined clay around the Avanyu.  The entire area of the jar, including the Avanyu was stone polished to a high luster, and then red slip was painted around the background of the Avanyu to provide contrast.  The mouth and eye of the Avanyu were painted with red slip in a matte finish.

Condition:  original condition

Provenance: from an Albuquerque gentleman

Recommended Reading:  Pueblo Indian Artists: 750 Artist Biographies by Gregory Schaaf