Southwestern Pottery Four-Chimney Super Weed Pot Vase

Pottery

 

I have searched high and low, and inquired here and there, in the hopes of learning more about this interesting piece of studio pottery. The signature is obscure enough that the potter's identity remains a mystery, but there's no question this is a wonderfully interesting piece -- wonderful for display just as it is or filled with your favorite dried weeds, field flowers, or grasses.

Textured and light tan / sandy in color, the body of the vessel is low and squatty -- from the top, looking like a round pillow -- with the height of the body just about half the width. Up from the center rises a short, wide spout, which is then partially framed by three other spouts or chimneys, equally spaced and graduating in height.

Encircling the body at the outer, upper edge is an unbroken horizon, done in a hand-painted flat matte brown, bordered in black, bringing me to think of the Arizona mountains. Dividing the horizon view into thirds are three separate images -- a woman with long flowing hair, stabilizing a water urn that sits atop her head, done in a thick white glaze; a lone saguaro cactus in a thick, glossy blue-green glaze; and an interesting plant or bush foreign to me (but may be ocotillo or desert globemallow), done in a thick beaded burgundy glaze.

Illegibly signed, it appears the name is Zodiac, Zodiii, or some other variation. Date of 1989 is stamped into the base, just above the base rim. In excellent condition.

If anyone has any insight on the maker of this fabulous piece, I'd love to hear from you!

Item ID: 01446