Sanchez, Russell – Large Jar with Gourd Indented Neck and Lid and Avanyu

6.5"w x 10"h (w/ lid)

$ 12,000.00

Stunning! This is one of the largest pieces we have had from Russell Sanchez in a while!  It is a classic shape with an innovative use of clay and design.  The jar has a wide body and a slight neck.  The body of the jar is fully polished and has an incised avanyu (water serpent) as the design.  Above and below are single bands of matte clay with a slip of mica.  Separating the matte areas are bands of jet (black) hei-shi beads.  The use of the black is perfect on this, as it emphasizes the shine and adds another tonality of black to the piece. T he neck is indented with 16 “gourd” sections.  They are all fully polished.  The lid is carved and the top has six gourd indentions.  There is also a band of jet hei-shi inset into the lid!  The jar has been fired to a near gunmetal coloration. There is a single inset piece of turquoise in the sienna area for the eye of the avanyu.  The hei-shi beads are all made by the Calabaza family from Santo Domingo Pueblo.  The jar is stunning in form and design and harkens to the earlier San Ildefonso pieces of the 1920’s.

To read more about Russel Sanchez and his “Contemporizing of the Pueblo Pottery Past”, click here!!