A Group of Three Tesuque Rain Gods, ca. 1900-1920

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Native American Art: Session 2

By Santa Fe Art Auction

Feb 7, 2021

Set Reminder 2021-02-07 13:30:00 2021-02-07 13:30:00 America/New_York Bidsquare Bidsquare : Native American Art: Session 2 https://www.bidsquare.com/auctions/santa-fe/native-american-art-session-2-6360
Session Two features two remarkable private collections from Mark Blackburn, comprising an extensive and rare collection of Tesuque Rain Gods, and another of Mojave Dolls, along with a very early Hopi figural grouping that appears in Julian Scott’s 1890 Census Report. Santa Fe Art Auction info@santafeartauction.com

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• Lot Description
  Tesuque
  Group of Three Rain Gods, ca. 1900-1920
  fired clay, pigment
  
  Rain God
  seated, holding a pot in lap
  having green and red markings throughout
  height: 6 in. (15.24 cm.)
  
  Rain God
  seated, holding a small child in lap
  having yellow markings on face and feet, with painted necklace on chest
  height: 6 1/8 in. (15.56 cm.)
  
  Rain God
  seated, holding a pot in lap
  having light markings on face and arms
  height: 6 1/8 in. (15.56 cm.)
  The Mark Blackburn Collection
  
  From the Collector:
  Tesuque Rain Gods have always appealed to me, even though they were made for the bourgeoning tourist market beginning in the 1880s. Long overlooked, the sculptural elements are based in pueblo cultures with a long history of working with clay. The earliest pieces in this collection are quite interesting and very rare. Made of micaceous clay, they show strong affinities to early New World ceramics. Like the collection of Mojave pottery on offer, I acquired these wonderful objects over many years, seeking out pieces that were unusual in nature, and that showed the evolution in style and form over a 50 year period. I hope you enjoy these wonderful fun figures as much as I did collecting them.
  - Mark Blackburn, Honolulu, Hawaii
  
  From expert Robert Gallegos:
  The earliest published offerings of these clay “idols” may have been in the H. H. Tammen Co. catalogues, ca. 1880. The firm, based in Denver, Colorado, specialized in “Curious Things” from the Rocky Mountain region. In latter catalogues, the image of a Rain God was used as a logo on the front cover. The earliest types were made of or slipped with micaceous clay. They often had horns and looked devilish, and some were sexually explicit. These early figures may have had some cultural ties to earlier traditions. The Victorian era buying public found these sexually explicit figures off-putting, and the figures were modified for the tourist trade. Around 1900, the styles began to change as companies like Gunther Candy Company ordered large quantities to be offered as prizes in their boxed candy. The form evolved into a white-slipped idol with black, blue and red details. They were sold as Gods of War, Gods of Pain, Gods of Plenty, Gods of Hunger, Fish God, and others. Some had pots in their lap and some had pots on their heads. Sets of ‘See No Evil, Hear No Evil, and Speak No Evil’ were also made. The tourists and the early ethnographers were intrigued with the sacred and taboo. What better way to satisfy this need? Candelario’s of Santa Fe was one of the main promoters of the rain gods. One of the rarest forms is a whitewashed rain god with the initials “CTCM,” or “Candelario The Curio Man,” scratched vertically on the back. Another rare form is the black rain god. Some have suggested this form was derived from the Kokopelli. The Tewa of Hano, according to Kathleen Gratz Bradford, refer to Kokopelli as a tall, black man. After the 1930s, the forms were painted with bright poster paints. From the 1960s onward, natural paints were used again.

  Condition

  The figures are in apparent original, unrestored condition. No apparent restoration or breaks. Normal wear consistent with age.
  
  The condition reports for the lots offered by Santa Fe Art Auction (SFAA) are provided as a courtesy and convenience for potential buyers. The reports are not intended to nor do they substitute for physical examination by a buyer or the buyer’s advisors. The condition reports are prepared by SFAA staff members who are not art conservators or restorers, nor do they possess the qualifications needed for comprehensive evaluation. Each condition report is an opinion of the staff member and should not be treated as a statement of fact. The absence of a condition report does not imply anything as to the condition of a particular lot. Buyers are reminded that the limited warranties are set forth in the Terms and Conditions of Sale and do not extend to condition. Each lot is sold as-is.
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