Rare small black-on-red pitcher, c. 1890 from always sought after Tesuque Pueblo; from the wonderful and sophisticated collection of long time pueblo pottery gallery owner Robert Nichols’ collection. The red is deep and the designs, black and vivid. We think of these items as early tourist ware, but this piece appears to have had use. Whether that use was ethnographic or in a later owners home is hard to say. However, pieces made for tourist sale, but unsold, could easily and often were used then in the potter’s home.
Condition is good: Scattered slip loss from handling and use. No restoration.
Provenance: The Robert Nichols Collection.