Sanchez, Russell – 28 Melon Jar with Waterfall Rim

6"w x 6"h

$ 5,800.00

This classic water jar by Russell Sanchez is a modern take on historic San Ildefonso pottery.  This jar is focused on the complexity of form and color and just the simplest addition of etched design.  The shape of the jar is inspired by the historic Pueblo water jar with a round shoulder and turned out rim. The colors on this jar are all from natural clay slips and they are simply stunning. The deep red is the same red clay which was used in the 1920’s.   The black area is a black micaceous clay which he has polished.  On this piece, the black is an even coloration, which further enhances the red.  The base of the jar has 28  indented gourd or melon rib sections.  They are deeply carved into the clay creating an undulating appearance.  The base then comes up to the shoulder and there is just a slight dip in the jar before extending up to the neck.  The photo of the jar on its side reveals the depth of the indention at the shoulder.  This is technically difficult to create.  The neck of the jar is straight and the rim is flat.  Amazingly, the inside of the rim is carved with melon ribs creating the “waterfall rim”.  The rim is polished red while the melon section is polished with black mica.  There is a single section which is matte and inset with jet stones and surrounded on both sides by turquoise hei-shi beads.  Check out the tiny incised dots on the rim and neck of the jar.  They are a subtle but striking addition.  The jar is traditionally fired outside and it is signed in the clay on the bottom.

“We were always taught, we were given a saying, ‘This is mine. This is what I do. Take it and make it yours.’ I can never copy a pot, even one of my own if a collector asks me that. And to us at home, tradition doesn’t mean being stuck in a certain time period. To us, tradition is always growing and moving forward, everybody adding something else to it.” .” Russell Sanchez 

Russell Sanchez: Contemporizing the Pueblo Pottery Past