Share your favorites on Show & Tell

15 years later and still nobody can tell me what this is

In Native American > Native American Pottery > Show & Tell and Pottery > Show & Tell.
Popular items this month0 of 0
6
Love it
0
Like it

ho2cultchaho2cultcha loves this.
vcalvcal loves this.
EfesgirlEfesgirl loves this.
auraaura loves this.
racer4fourracer4four loves this.
kyratangokyratango loves this.
See 4 more
Add to collection

    Please create an account, or Log in here

    If you don't have an account, create one here.


    Create a Show & TellReport as inappropriate


    Posted 8 years ago

    whodunnit
    (1 item)

    I don't remember where I picked this up and for 15 yrs. I have taken it to art galleries, collectors and pottery establishments in North Dakota and Montana and no one is familiar with this style of pottery.
    It appears to be handpainted, with each side being different from the other. It has a glaze except the inside beyond the painted rim, no glaze on the handles except on the painted red area, and the bottom has no glaze.
    The bottom appears to be a reddish clay with either a symbol marked or if turned the right way could be the letter "g".
    Not sure what the animal is with it's long ears, otherwise I would guess a deer. The leaves seem to have a tropical appearance. The colors used are white, reddish brown or burnt red, a pale orange, greys and black.
    It stands approx. 8" tall with belly of the vessel at approx. 5-6". The handles did appear at first to have been put on afterward, however you can feel the bunt end inside the vessel.

    If anyone has any idea where to steer me in my long lasting quest to solve the mystery of this vessel I would greatly appreciate it.

    Nonetheless, I simply adore this vessel with its details and colors and odd looking deer and will always enjoy it.

    Unsolved Mystery

    Help us close this case. Add your knowledge below.

    logo
    Native American Pottery
    See all
    Antique Signed STELLA CHAVARRIA Pueblo Santa Clara Carved Black Pottery Vase NR
    Antique Signed STELLA CHAVARRIA Pue...
    $128
    2 Ancient Anasazi Pottery Pitcher / Mug Early Southwest Native American
    2 Ancient Anasazi Pottery Pitcher /...
    $1,041
    Prehistoric Anasazi black on white ladle! Mint!
    Prehistoric Anasazi black on white ...
    $117
    Awesome POTTERY BOWL Georgia Florida Arrowhead ~52~
    Awesome POTTERY BOWL Georgia Florid...
    $20
    logo
    Antique Signed STELLA CHAVARRIA Pueblo Santa Clara Carved Black Pottery Vase NR
    Antique Signed STELLA CHAVARRIA Pue...
    $128
    See all

    Comments

    1. CanyonRoad, 8 years ago
      It's Mexican, traditional burnished pottery (barro bruñido) from Tonala, state of Jalisco.

      It is not glazed. Before it is fired, the pot is coated with a thin slip (liquid clay) which is polished with a smooth stone to achieve the burnished sheen. The stylized animals and flowers are common features of this popular type of pottery.

      You evidently took it to the wrong galleries...anyone familiar at all with Mexican pottery should instantly recognize it. It's the iconic Mexican pottery souvenir. If you want to confirm, just do a web search for "Tonala barro brunido" or see the book "Ceramica, Mexican Pottery of the 20th Century" by Amanda Thompson.
    2. kyratango kyratango, 8 years ago
      Another great solve, Canyonroad :-)

      These pottery are very nice!
    3. whodunnit, 8 years ago
      WOW!!! Thank you so much CanyonRoad and right you are. Found the vessel in no time and read with interest about Tonala pottery.
      You did in minutes what I couldn't do in 15 years.
      But no regrets as it was kind of fun I gained knowledge during my whodunnit quest about my piece . But now my mystery is solved and I Thank you!!
    4. kyratango kyratango, 8 years ago
      So, you may mark it as solved :-)

    Want to post a comment?

    Create an account or login in order to post a comment.