Black: San Juan Dough Bowl/Storage Jar, c. 1890

July 31, 2011By Lyn Fox

This is a beautiful, high shouldered bowl of the type that could serve as a dough bowl or as a storage jar.  I have actually seen more red-on-tan examples of this form than black like this one.  Possibly corn cob polished which has resulted in a softly textured or ridged surface that feels wonderful to … Read More

Black: Rare Santa Clara Large Dough Bowl, c. 1890

July 31, 2011By Lyn Fox

This dough bowl is as rare as it is beautiful.   It is slipped and polished black all over, indicative of a Santa Clara origin w/ethnographic use including old minor rim chips, a 6″ vertical crack (stabilized) from the rim and some surface wear.  All of this adds to the warmth of this majestic bowl. … Read More

Black: Outstanding Tewa Olla w/Pie Crust Rim, c. 1890’s

July 31, 2011By Lyn Fox

I believe this beautiful and early olla to be from Santa Clara pueblo.  It has simply beautiful form w/pie crust rim that flattens at the base of the neck to dramatic, sculptural effect, forming what might be described as an early rainbow band.  The mid-body is wide and rather low, giving the jar a presence … Read More

Black: Outstanding Santa Clara Bear Paw Jar w/Rainbow Band, c. 1930

July 31, 2011By Lyn Fox

This is a gorgeous example of a classic Santa Clara form dating to the 1930’s. It has a sloping neck, slipped and polished all over to a mirror-like finish.  The sheer perfection of this jar would seem to point to the period well into the period influenced by Anglo tourists and traders.  By the 1930’s … Read More

Black: Outstanding San Juan Black-on-Grey Olla w/Twin Fire Clouds, c. 1890

July 31, 2011By Lyn Fox

This is an outstanding example with side-by-side beautiful rich fire clouds.  Incomplete reduction in firing has allowed gorgeous red and golden highlights to leak through the black in both the upper and lower fields.  The twin fire clouds at the demarcation line at mid-body were placed intentionally, possibly a signature of the potter or her … Read More

Black: Large Santa Clara Bear Paw Jar by Nestora Silva, c. 1930

July 31, 2011By Lyn Fox

This is a magnificent jar by an often overlooked master potter, Nestora Silva.  The jar is signed “Nestora” on the base and  likely created in the 1930’s for a rapidly emerging art market for fine Santa Clara pottery.  According to Blair and Blair, the Fred Harvey Detours began in 1926 and where once there had … Read More

Black: Large San Juan Black-on-Grey Storage Jar, c. 1890

July 31, 2011By Lyn Fox

This is a superb San Juan storage jar.  It is quite large, standing 13″ tall and a robust 16″ in diameter.  As these old San Juan storage jars go, this is large, but not the largest as these exist at 16″ tall or more and in diameters approaching 20″.  However, in superb condition for its … Read More