Sanchez, Russell – Jar with Relief-Carved Big Horn Sheep, Plant Designs, and Lid
$ 3,000.00
This is a striking jar by Russell Sanchez. The jar is fully polished red. The front has a deeply carved medallion with a Mimbres Big Horn Sheep in relief. The neck of the jar has plant designs etched into the clay. The jar was traditionally fired and then inset with stone and beads. There is a piece of turquoise in the center of the Big Horn Sheep, as well as in each of the plants. There are inset rows of shell, turquoise, and mother-of-pearl hei-shi beads. The jar has a lid that is polished and matte. There is a single row of shell hei-shi beads on the lid. The bottom of the jar has the classic indention of traditional San Ildefonso water jars. 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”. It is in excellent condition with no chips, cracks, restoration, or repair.
In stock
This is a striking jar by Russell Sanchez. The jar is a deep red coloration, which is a slip which he has rediscovered and it is the same deep coloration as the slip used at San Ildefonso in the 1920-30’s. The red is used on the sides of the jar. The neck also has a carved feather pattern with each feather carved at an angle. This style is inspired by the feather pattern usually painted on the pottery. On the sides of the jar are two medallions. They each have an old style San Ildefonso bird with a single inset piece of turquoise. One of the birds has its head turned back while the other is facing forward. Surrounding each of the medallions are two bands of black (jet) hei-shi beads. They are a beautiful complement to the black mica used on the carved feathers! Note as well that the neck of the jar is square while the body is round. Russell said this was his attempt to modernize this classic shape. The bottom of the jar has the classic indention of traditional San Ildefonso water jars. 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”.
To read more about Russell Sanchez and his “Contemporizing The Pueblo Pottery Past”, Click Here.
