Silas, Bobby – Large Zuni Water Jar with Nine Heartline Antelope

11.5"w x 10"h

$ 1,000.00

Bobby Silas is a creative potter reviving ancient designs for his contemporary pottery. He had originally learned to make pottery in 2004-5 when he attended Zuni High School.  While he is Hopi-Tewa, he is again living in Zuni and has made a series of pieces inspired by classic Zuni shapes and designs.  This jar has a classic form with a high shoulder and a short neck.  Around the neck of the jar are painted prayer feathers and rainbird designs.  The body of the jar has a band of heartline antelope.  Below them are a series of Zuni birds.  Bobby said that he had been reading that Zuni potters would often create their own style of bird that would become a visual “signature” to their pottery.  This bird is his “signature” design.  Below the birds are larger sections with rainbirds and fine-lines.  Separating the areas with the antelope are vertical bands with feather and rain bird designs.  One thing you might notice on the jar is how the clay shows through the white slip.  Bobby does this on purpose as he wants his pieces to have a similar look to historic Zuni pieces not quite such a “refined” appearance. The jar has a striking balance of both historic Zuni form and design with Bobby’s own stylistic antelope and detailed painting.  It’s great to see him reviving these designs with such strength, delving into the past for inspiration.  The jar is signed on the bottom, “Silas”.