California Olla
Much of California's history began with the Spanish Missions. The chain of 21 missions along California's El Camino Real ("The Royal Highway") represent the first arrival of non-Native Americans to California. Life for the California Native Americans was forever changed. In addition to Christianity, the missions brought many other things to California such as livestock, fruits, flowers, grains and industry. This was also the start of the civilization in which we live today. However, as a result of the arrival of the Spanish, many Native American lives were lost.
In 1821 Spain lost the war of independence with New Spain. New Spain, now called Mexico, had finally won independence from Spain.The Mexican government passed another law in 1826 to free any neophyte that had been a Catholic for over 15 years, and some left, but many stayed. They didn’t know how to live any other way.
The fathers had taken a vow to spread their religion throughout the world and didn’t understand that the Natives’ appreciation for nature was a type of religion. Both the Spanish and the Missionaries thought they were making the Natives’ lives better, but we know now that the tribes had good lives before the Missionaries came.
The above information was taken from : Mission History by Tricia Weber
Pictured is a special find for me...an Olla, coiled clay vessel that I believe was made by the California Mission Indians with Spanish influence...my guess early 1800's. The Olla is made from a local river clay. It is fired & non-glazed. It measures 14 inches in height & 30 inches in circumference. As you can see the Olla is "out of round" (wonky) with many imperfections....all that give it character beyond measure.
I had the pleasure of finding this item several years ago in the Northern California Delta area...It has never been restored and is in as found condition.
I hope you all will enjoy this item as much as I do. I welcome any speculation. [
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Much of California's history began with the Spanish Missions. The chain of 21 missions along California's El Camino Real ("The Royal Highway") represent the first arrival of non-Native Americans to California. Life for the California Native Americans was forever changed. In addition to Christianity, the missions brought many other things to California such as livestock, fruits, flowers, grains and industry. This was also the start of the civilization in which we live today. However, as a result of the arrival of the Spanish, many Native American lives were lost.
In 1821 Spain lost the war of independence with New Spain. New Spain, now called Mexico, had finally won independence from Spain.The Mexican government passed another law in 1826 to free any neophyte that had been a Catholic for over 15 years, and some left, but many stayed. They didn’t know how to live any other way.
The fathers had taken a vow to spread their religion throughout the world and didn’t understand that the Natives’ appreciation for nature was a type of religion. Both the Spanish and the Missionaries thought they were making the Natives’ lives better, but we know now that the tribes had good lives before the Missionaries came.
The above information was taken from : Mission History by Tricia Weber
Pictured is a special find for me...an Olla, coiled clay vessel that I believe was made by the California Mission Indians with Spanish influence...my guess early 1800's. The Olla is made from a local river clay. It is fired & non-glazed. It measures 14 inches in height & 30 inches in circumference. As you can see the Olla is "out of round" (wonky) with many imperfections....all that give it character beyond measure.
I had the pleasure of finding this item several years ago in the Northern California Delta area...It has never been restored and is in as found condition.
I hope you all will enjoy this item as much as I do. I welcome any speculation. [
]
