Santo Domingo Polychrome Storage Jar, circa 1850s-1860s [SOLD]

In the late 1700s to early 1800s the pottery of Cochiti and Santo Domingo Pueblos was similar enough that it was labeled Kiua Polychrome because there was no absolute way to distinguish between the two.    Starting around 1830, the pottery from the two pueblos began to diverge to the point that they could be separated by pueblo.  Potters at Santo Domingo began to settle on a geometric style that fit their conservative beliefs and which did not appreciably change for the next 100 years.  Cochiti chose busier designs incorporating clouds, rain, and lightning.  The name was then changed from Kiua Polychrome to Santo Domingo Polychrome and Cochiti Polychrome.

This jar has the globular shape and short neck of Kiua Polychrome but probably falls into the mid-1800s era at which time it would be designated Santo Domingo Polychrome.  When one examines the neck of the vessel, it is apparent that there was at one time a leather cinch tied around it.  There is definite wear patterns to make this feasible.  The cinch would have been used to strengthen the neck following a crack.  If there was a crack, it has now been professionally repaired and the leather cinch removed.

The design on the body of the jar consists of stacked and opposing black triangles at a right-leaning posture.  This pattern is confined to a rectangular box delineated by pairs of black parallel lines.  This design is repeated around the body.  The neck design consists of rectangular boxes within which the four corners are painted black, leaving a fan-like unpainted design.  Black framing lines separate the areas of design.  The rim is black and there is a wide red band wiped on the underbody just below the design panel.  The area below the red band is natural clay body that was polished. The painted design area of the jar covers only 50% of the jar’s surface, an indication of a mid-1800s date.

Condition: very good condition for a vessel of this age

Provenance: from the collection of a family who sold its Santa Fe home and found it desirable to dispose of its contents.

Reference and Recommended Reading:  Matte-Paint Pottery of the Tewa, Keres and Zuni Pueblos by Francis H. Harlow, 1973