Acoma Pueblo Small Fine Line Jar by Marie Z. Chino [R]

Marie Z. Chino is considered one of the important ceramicists at Acoma and was the matriarch of a very talented family of potters. She was one of the women who was inspirational in the movement to revive the use of ancient Mimbres designs on contemporary Acoma pottery.

The fine-line design is one for which Marie was so well known. She was an expert at its execution, as seen in this example. This piece is in excellent condition and was purchased by the previous owner in the 1960s.

The potter's name has been written on the bottom in pencil and Acoma, N.M. was painted on in black paint before firing. It is not unusual for potters not to have signed pottery in the 1960s, particularly at Acoma, where so many potters simply painted on the name of the pueblo and left off their own name. It is quite possible that this is the work of Marie Z. Chino and I find no reason to doubt that.

The small jar is in excellent condition with only two or three insignificant spall marks. It is truly a small jewel.