Santa Ana Pueblo Small Traditional Jar [SOLD]

This small jar has a good representation of designs seen on historic pottery from Santa Ana Pueblo during the 19th century. The main design on the body is one referred to as the Eiffel Tower design. Around the neck, there is influence from the neighboring Zia Pueblo's Trios Polychrome pottery. Nineteenth century Santa Ana pottery was infused with basalt as a temper agent. Once Santa Ana Pueblo moved to be near the Rio Grande, potters shifted to river sand as a temper agent.

Once located near the Rio Grande, Santa Ana Pueblo people devoted time and effort to farming which was the reason for their move. Pottery nearly disappeared as a product. By the 1970s, the only potter actively working was Eudora Montoya. She singly revived pottery production at the pueblo in the 1970s by teaching classes to a group of 18 women. This revival spurred interest in Santa Ana contemporary pottery but that did not last long because most of the new potters did not continue production. Once again, pottery from Santa Ana faded into history. One of Montoya's former students, Elvira S. Montoya, instituted another revival in 1994, a revival that is still surviving, but barely. At this time, it is not known whether there are any Santa Ana potters actively producing.

This jar has all the characteristics of the 1970s revival period, but the once-known potter did not sign the jar, so we do not know who the maker is at this time.

Condition: very good condition

Provenance: this Santa Ana Pueblo Small Traditional Jar is from the collection of a resident of Phoenix

Recommended Reading: The Pottery of Santa Ana Pueblo by Francis H. Harlow, Duane Anerson, and Dwight P. Lanmon, Museum of New Mexico Press, Santa Fe, 2005

TAGS:  Southwest Indian Pottery, Santa Ana Pueblo, Eudora Montoya