Object ID: 1978.09.742
This pitcher encountered problems during its creation. It looks like the creator polished the vessel before the paint on the neck dried, causing the smeared appearance. The pitcher also fired orange rather than red, possibly because there was too little oxygen in the kiln. Deadmans Black-on-Red is generally a brick red color due to the slip (a layer of liquid clay) applied to the vessel’s surface.
Catalog Record
Culture/Ethnicity: Ancestral Pueblo/Mesa Verde
Object Name: Jar
Other Name: Pitcher
Artist/Creator: NA
Locale: Southwest Colorado/Southeast Utah
Use: Domestic Use
Construction: Coiled
Height: 21.59
Length: 0
Width: 17.78
Location: Kent Hall, East Gallery, Unit_12, Shelf_2
Description: Red ware ceramic pitcher with zigzag designs on exterior. The handle has a pattern on it that may be a corn motif. The slip did not fire red enough, and it appears that the neck was possibly polished before the paint was dry, causing the smearing.
Source: Lance Williams