Sanchez, Russell – “Gourd” Water Jar with Fluted Rim

6.5"w x 7"h

$ 8,800.00

WOW!  This is an exceptional jar by Russell Sanchez.  The piece is a classic water jar shape but with the traditional “gourd” indentions on the shoulder of the piece.  Russell said that he has not made one of these gourd jars in nearly 20 years and the result is stunning.  There are eight “gourd” indentions on the side.  The name for this style of impression comes from the round sections of gourds used when making the pottery to smooth the surface.  There is also a double shoulder coming up from the gourd sections and then lip is turned out.  What adds to the complexity of the jar is the fluted rim.  Technically it is very difficult to carve and polished a rim with so many undulations and not have it crack.  Here, it goes up and down so many times, it harkens back to the original name for this type of rim, the “raindrop rim”.  As well, Russell has also fully polished the neck as far as he can reach.  The difficulty in a jar like this comes from polishing the gourd indentions and getting a high shine.  This piece was traditionally fired and has a glassy black surface.  There are also three rows of  shell and turquoise hei-shi beads around the neck of the jar.  Russell continues to revive historic San Ildefonso designs with his innovative style of pottery.  The bottom of the jar has the classic indention of traditional San Ildefonso water jars.  Note in the very last photo, there is a gourd jar by Desideria Sanchez, a sister of Maria Martinez, next to the bowl by Russell.  It’s fascinating to see how he has updated the gourd style from a piece made nearly 100 years ago!  It’s exciting how Russell uses these historic elements to keep them alive on his contemporary pottery.  It is signed on the bottom in the clay, ‘Russell”.