Dunlap, Carmelita – 17″ Tall Water Jar with Carved Kiva Step Neck (1970s)
$ 5,500.00
This is a spectacular large water jar by Carmelita Dunlap. It is coil-built, polished, painted and traditionally fired. The neck of the jar is carved away with a kiva step, or cloud opening. The remainder of the jar is fully polished. There are cloud, kiva step, rain, and prayer feather designs painted across the surface of the piece. The designs are painted in such a manner as to leave a lot of open space on the jar. The open space gives more voice to the polished surface and more dramatic appearance. The jar is signed on the bottom in the clay, “Carmelita Dunlap”. It is in excellent condition with no chips, cracks, restoration or repair.
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This is a spectacular large water jar by Carmelita Dunlap. It is coil-built, polished, painted and traditionally fired. The neck of the jar is carved away with a kiva step, or cloud opening. The remainder of the jar is fully polished. There are cloud, kiva step, rain, and prayer feather designs painted across the surface of the piece. The designs are painted in such a manner as to leave a lot of open space on the jar. The open space gives more voice to the polished surface and more dramatic appearance. The jar is signed on the bottom in the clay, “Carmelita Dunlap”. It is in excellent condition with no chips, cracks, restoration or repair.
Brand
Dunlap, Carmelita (1925 - 2000)
Carmelita Dunlap was a daughter Juanita Vigil and raised by Desideria Sanchez, both sisters of Maria Martinez. She learned to make pottery from her aunts and began making her distinctive vessels in 1955. She was known not only for her complicated designs but the large size of her pottery. She is also the matriarch of a family of potters including children Martha Appleleaf, Carlos Dunlap, Cynthia Star Flower and grandson Erik Fender. Carmelita won numerous awards for her pottery at events such as Santa Fe Indian Market and Gallup Ceremonials. Her pottery can be found in museums across the country including the NMAI and the Denver Art Museum.