Extremely Rare 1972 Micaceous Bean Pot by Famous Picuris Potter Virginia Duran For Sale

Extremely Rare 1972 Micaceous Bean Pot by Famous Picuris Matriarch Potter Virginia Duran (1904–1998):

We purchased our micaceous bean pot from pottery matriarch Virginia Duran(1904–1998) while visiting her home in 1972. Virginiawas then Picuris’s most notable micaceous potter, and, at the time we bought our hand-coiled bean pot from her, she and Cora Duran were the only two Picuris potters making micaceous pottery.The mica in the clay makes a strong, durable pot that heats evenly and keeps food warm longer.Virginia enhanced the glittery sheen of her locally gathered mica-rich clay by rubbing a mica slip on her hand-formed ware before firing, producing museum-quality pieces. One sold last year for over $1,000! In recognition of the two Duran potters along with one other mica-rich clay potter, the state of New Mexico erected a Historic Highway Marker in their honor!Beans cooked in micaceous pottery vessels are unbeatable for flavor. The pot has clay handles on two sides. The Black smudges, called fire clouds, form on the surface of a pot during firing in an outdoor pit. The pot is flawless, having no chips, cracks, or repairs. There is some unevenness to the rim which was very typical of Virginia’s classic bean pots. The pot is both utilitarian (oven proof) as well as an outstanding example of this ancient art. This beautiful one-of-a-kind pot will add distinction to your Native American pottery collection. We recently sold our home and moved into a small retirement apartment where we don’t have room for displaying our “treasures.” The base is incised “Picuris V. Duran”.The pot can be picked up in Rio Rancho, NM, or double-boxed shipping is available.

·Potter: Virginia Duran (1904–1998)

·Materials: Mica-Rich Clay

·Origin: Picuris Pueblo, New Mexico

·Vintage: 1972

·Provenance: One owner pot purchased by seller

·Width: 9 1/4 inches counting handles

·Height: 5 1/2 inches