Dunlap, Carmelita – 17″ Wide Brown Fired Jar with Avanyu and Feathers (1983)

This is an impressive large jar by Carmelita Dunlap.  It is the famous “brown” coloration for which she and her son Carlos are famous. The jar is from 1983 and it is fully polished and painted.  The jar has a distinctive shape with a low, sharp shoulder and then another shoulder with a sharp edge leading to the neck.  The neck of the jar has classic feather, cloud, rain, and sun designs.  The body of the jar (between the two shoulders) has an avanyu encircling the jar.  Below the shoulder are several old-style avanyu extending down towards the base.  The jar is highly stone polished and fired a deep brown coloration.  The brown firing is one for which she and Carlos Dunlap, her son, were famous.  The contrast of the polished and matte surfaces on the jar is striking, giving the imagery a more dramatic appearance.   Typical of her work, there is a lot of open space to let the polishing, shine, and simplicity of design each stand on their own. The jar is signed on the bottom in the clay, “Carmelita Dunlap”.  It is in very good 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.