Teal McKibben’s eye for visuality is no more in evidence than in this superb tall pitcher with 3 design fields. The potter draws attention to her ambitious creation, by boldly setting the design fields off with triple framing lines. So rare is the use of triple framing lines at Santo Domingo that the lines themselves become and important part of the design. And bold it is with a thick undulating band at the neck and capped triangles in the middle, a feature repeated and turned sideways in the largely open mid-body. The potter manages to richly paint this pitcher in bees weed black while maintaining a spacious feel. Superb!
I am attributing this jar to Felipita Aguilar. It reminds me so much of the example on page 107 in Jonathan Batkin’s classic book, Pottery of the Pueblos of New Mexico. Like this example, that one from the collection of The Colorado College features beautiful form, precise paint, multiple framing lines. I wasn’t there when this superior pitcher was made so I can’t say for sure that this is an Aguillar ceramic or by someone highly influenced by them. So if you choose to buy this pitcher, do so for its beauty and superior features. I do know this: this is perhaps the most skillfully made Kewa pitcher in Teal’s collection; it was made by a master.
Condition: Excellent and unrestored.
Provenance: The Collection of Teal McKibben