Jemez River Polychrome represents a very poorly known and extremely short lived pottery form noted at Jemez Refuged sites occupied during the end of the eighteenth century (Harlow and Lammon 2003; Harlow and others 2005). The polychrome pottery produced at these refugee sites reflect a combination of influences from Jemez Black-on-white produced by Towa speaking Jemez groups, and glaze wares produced by Keres speaking groups in the Middle Rio Grande Valley. This type exhibits similarities with late Middle Rio Grande Glaze Ware as reflected by polychrome decorations over a unslipped in a black paint and red slip pigment as well as influences from Jemez Black-on-white that include decorations in a black washy paint that reflects the use of organic pigment. Surfaces tend to be soft and polished and often a tan and sometimes brown, light red to orange color. Forms reflected by both bowl and jar forms. Bowls are often shallow with widening rims similar to that described for glaze E forms. Jars often exhibit rim and sharp keels on the lower part of the vessel. Designs appear to be simple and sparse, usually organized as wide bands with a large amount of negative space. Designs usually include pairs of thin lines filled end with red clay that may be oriented angular, horizontal sometimes zigzagging around the vessel. Other motifs include triangles, flagged triangles, squares, and crosses. These are sometimes organized into stylized images or life-forms. The overall styles and effects seem to reflect combinations of styles and images derived from Jemez Black-on-white and late glaze ware forms as well as forshadowing those used define Puname Polychrome.

References:
Harlow, Francis H. and Dwight P. Lammon
2003 The Pottery of Zia Pueblo. School of American Research Press, Santa Fe.

Harlow, Francis H., Duane Anderson, and Dwight P. Lammon
2005 The Pottery of Santa Ana Pueblo. Museum of New Mexico Press, Santa Fe.

Related Photos

Jemez River Polychrome bowl

Jemez River Polychrome bowl

Jemez River Polychrome bowl

Jemez River Polychrome bowl

Jemez River Polychrome bowl

Jemez River Polychrome jar