5148-21 190920-04 Handsome and Large Maricopa Jar Unsigned - Possibly Ida Redbird
Mid 20th century
7 1/4" x 8 1/2"
has a 4" hairline vertical crack from rim as pictured
An unusually large, bulbous example.
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Although unsigned, this is in the style of Ida Redbird and is associated with an Ida Rebird bowl collected.
Ida Redbird (1892-1971) was a Maricopa potter from the Gila River Indian Community of the Gila River Indian Reservation in Arizona. She was the first president of the Maricopa Pottery Maker's Association and was widely credited with the revival of ancient Maricopa pottery techniques and forms. Her polished black-on-redware pottery was highly prized with collectors. Texas photographer Ted Sayles shot a series documenting Redbird sculpting her pottery. The series toured museums throughout the Western United States
The Maricopa Pottery and Maricopa Tribal people are best known for their red clay pottery work. Various jars and bowls were created for essential needs, made of natural materials. The clay was collected at various locations throughout the area. Natural dyes were used to depict geometrical designs.
The Maricopa people were small bands living along the lower Gila and Colorado rivers. Each of these bands migrated eastward at different times. The Xalychidom (Maricopa of Lehi), left around 1825-1830.
The last of these bands is said to have left the Colorado River in the late 1830’s. Eventually, these bands came together and became collectively known as the Maricopa.
As they migrated eastward, they came upon the Pima tribe and established a relationship. Both tribes provided protection against the Yuman and Apache tribes.
Some of the Maricopa (mostly Xalychidom Piipaash) began migrating to the area now known as Lehi on the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community because water from the Gila River was becoming scarce. When the Salt River Indian Community was established in 1879, the reservation included both tribes within these boundaries.
5148-21 190920-04