Mary Juan

Native American
(1892–1977)

Necked Jar
1935

Earthenware
8 x 7 x 7 in.
Gift of the Nora Eccles Treadwell Foundation
1988.63

Necked Jar is a prime example of the Maricopa Revival pottery movement. The highly polished deep red slip of the vessel’s neck and spout was one of Mary Juan’s primary contributions to the resurrection of this lost ceramic tradition. The vessel’s form is simple yet graceful, and features the finely painted geometric designs that were Juan’s specialty. The red- and cream-colored slip with geometric lines became popular on tourist souvenir items.

Mary Juan was an original member of the Maricopa Pottery Cooperative (1937–1941), a group of nineteen Maricopa women who banded together to build a retail market for their work and establish relationships with galleries, dealers, museums, and collectors. Juan and her cousin, the famous Maricopa potter Ida Redbird, were key leaders of the revival movement. Despite strong support and interest in their work, the cooperative was unable to achieve its long-term goals. Unlike Pueblo pottery, Maricopa pottery has struggled to flourish and today is considered in danger of disappearing as a living art form.

Matthew Limb

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This object was included in the following exhibitions:

• Ceramic Case 1: Native Patterns (left) and Pots & Bowls (right) , 8/17/2012 - 5/7/2014
• Collecting on the Edge - Ceramics Southwest , 9/15/2018 - 5/4/2019
• Unearthed , 8/23/2022 - 5/14/2023

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