Lot 6
Native American, Southwestern United States, Ancestral Pueblo (Anasazi), ca. 1000 to 1250 CE. A superb Ancestral Pueblo seed jar, compact in form but visually powerful, painted with bold black-on-white designs that wrap the vessel like a moving current. The jar is formed with a low, rounded body and a small, circular mouth set into the top, a practical shape well-suited for storing seeds and other valued dry goods. Its surface is carefully slipped to a pale ground, then painted with confident mineral pigment in a complex banded program. Large triangular panels, serrated zigzags, and finely hatched fields alternate with solid black areas punctuated by small reserved dots, creating a striking balance of weight and precision. Size: 7.9" L x 7.3" W x 4.5" H (20.1 cm x 18.5 cm x 11.4 cm)
The decoration reads almost like architecture in miniature: crisp borders, measured symmetry, and a strong sense of intentional spacing. Around the mouth, sweeping scroll-like forms radiate outward, adding a lively contrast to the sharp-edged geometry on the body. The overall effect is both disciplined and energetic, a hallmark of Ancestral Pueblo black-on-white traditions. Seed jars were objects of daily importance, tied directly to agriculture, storage, and survival in the high desert environment. At the same time, the care invested in vessels like this suggests they were also social objects, part of a visual culture where pattern, order, and skill carried meaning beyond simple utility. With its excellent proportions and exceptionally graphic painted surface, this jar stands as a compelling example of Ancestral Pueblo ceramic artistry, where function and design meet with remarkable clarity.
Provenance: private Denver, Colorado, USA collection, acquired prior to 2002
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#201050
- Condition: A few stable hairline fissures and some light surface wear, but, otherwise, intact and excellent with good remaining pigments.
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| From: | To: | Increments: |
|---|---|---|
| $0 | $299 | $25 |
| $300 | $999 | $50 |
| $1,000 | $1,999 | $100 |
| $2,000 | $4,999 | $250 |
| $5,000 | $9,999 | $500 |
| $10,000 | $19,999 | $1,000 |
| $20,000 | $49,999 | $2,500 |
| $50,000 | $99,999 | $5,000 |
| $100,000 | $199,999 | $10,000 |
| $200,000 + | $20,000 |