Cheeda, Zella “Antelope Woman” – Large Water Jar with Fox Design (1950’s)

This is an exceptional large water jar by Zella Cheeda.  She was also known as “Antelope Woman” as she signed her pottery with an antelope hallmark.  She was from Sichomovi village on First Mesa (between Walpi and Hano).  This large jar is coil built with a round shoulder and a turned-out rim.  The body of the jar has a fox on two sides.  Below the foxes are cloud and rain designs.  There is one large section of rainclouds.  Her painting style is distinctive with bold lines, and use of negative space.  Each time I see one of her larger pieces, I’m more impressed with her creativity and style of painting, let alone the vessels themselves.  The jar was traditionally fired so there are striking blushes on the surface of the piece!  The jar is signed on the bottom with her hallmark, an antelope.  It is in very good (near excellent) condition with no chips, cracks, restoration, or repair.  It is not often that we come across her pottery and exciting to see one of her pieces of this size, quality, and design!