Duwyenie, Preston – Black Mica Jar Silver Inset and Corrugated Base

9"w x 6.25"h

$ 1,200.00

This is a creative jar by Preston Duwyenie.  The jar has a high shoulder and a sloping neck.  The base of the jar is corrugated, as the first coils were started in a basket and Preston kept the indentions of the coils.  You can feel the coils and see the basket impressions. The remainder of the jar is smooth and the entire piece is slipped with mica.  It is fired a deep black coloration.  The mica gives the piece a somewhat metallic appearance.  There is one silver inset along the neck of the jar.  The silver piece has the appearance of “shifting sands”, much in a similar style to the pottery where he has carved a shifting sand pattern.  It is cast by Preston against cuttlefish bone, to create a distinctive texture.  The jar is signed just above the corrugated bands with Preston’s hallmark, which means “carried in beauty”.  There is certainly something both modern and ancient about this striking vessel!   Preston is from Third Mesa at Hopi and taught ceramics for years at the Institute of American Indian Art (IAIA) in Santa Fe.  He is married to pottery Debra Duwyenie and now resides in Santa Clara Pueblo.  Preston has won numerous awards for pottery, including “Best of Show” at the Heard Indian Market.