A Sikyatki Polychrome Jar

circa 1600, of globular form with a short neck, elegantly painted in sienna and dark brown against a tan slip, with a wide black "path" line in angular segments, a feather-like symbol emerging from each vertex, surmounting a pair of parrot-like birds, with diamond shaped medallions on the body.

Acquired from James Reid, Sante Fe

From a letter written by Francis H. Harlow that accompanies the jar: "On 15 July 1989 I examined a beautiful, late jar of Sikyatki Polychrome in the possession of James Reid of Santa Fe. The jar is about 10 inches tall and globular in shape with a short neck. It is decorated with an unframed, freely flowing design composed of a wide black path line in angular segments, a feather-like symbol sprouting above each vertex, and a parrot-like bird of exquisite design pendant from each vertex. The vessel walls are rather thick, formed of a grainy paste that is light tan and filled with abundant grains of orange crystalline rock, giving a beautiful speckled appearance when examined under a lens. Much tiny exfoliation has occurred in minute scabo associated with individual grains. The black paint is thin but hard, in some places oxidized to a reddish color. The red paint is splotchy in a manner that does not detract from the beautiful overall appearance. The bird figures are very artistic, somewhat abstract but thoroughly recognizeable. The design style, form, and thickness of walls suggest a late stage in the evolution of Sikyatki Polychrome, circa 1600, but well before the onset of degeneracy that marks evolution into San Bernardo Polychrome."