Posted 11 years ago
disneypoppop
(18 items)
Appears to be red clay. 11" tall x 11" wide (spout to spout). Has steer on either side. Heavy, for size of piece. Bottom appears to have greenish color. Green specs also throughout. Been searching net for days. Saw many "Native American Wedding Vases" but none like this one. Any additional info would be greatly appreciated. Picked up at local Thrift Shop and they could not provide any background on it. Thanks
a steer or a Bull mark. Can't see the back side to know what he is....LOL
New category "Native American Pottery". Looking for any help to further identify or this piece. Thanks
Saw one recently with a steer head like mine. Piece was described as being Navajo. Wonder if steer head was favored Navajo design or had some special meaning? More for the mystery.
This isn't Navajo, based on the clay and the way the pot is made. Navajo clay is buff-colored, and the Navajo finish their pottery with a distinctive pinon pine pitch, applied to the red-hot pot when it comes out of the fire, which gives it a shiny gold/tan/brown color.
I wouldn't call this a wedding vase form, either. But this particular shape is often associated with the Maricopa, from southern Arizona, and with pottery from northern Mexico. The Maricopa would finish off the bottom differently, without the sharp edge. So this is most likely Mexican, especially since the clay is reddish, and it appears to have remnants of green paint, as well.
The image of a steer head is commonly found all over the southwest and Mexico, but generally not on traditional Native American pottery.
Thanks Canyonroad, appreciate the info. Any possible estimate on the age of the piece? From info received at this time, I believe it may be from the 1920's - 1940's.
CanyonRoad's comments were pretty definitive on the subject. Wonder if s/he is still around, would love his help on some of my pieces.