Four-color Polychrome Acoma Olla [SOLD]

Occasionally, a truly spectacularly designed jar is released from a private collection and elicits oohs and aahs from everyone who sees it.  This is certainly the case with this one.  It is one of the most beautifully designed jars from the Acoma/Laguna Pueblos to appear on the market in the recent past.  It is difficult to ignore this jar because it has such visual appeal and striking design. 

The jar could be either from Acoma or Laguna Pueblos.  The flowers are reminiscent of Laguna pottery but the extensive fine line design makes one think of an Acoma origin.  In the case of this jar, the origin is unimportant as it is such a beautiful specimen that it stands on its own.  Not knowing the origin or the potter leads one to appreciate the jar on its own merits without being influenced by the name of a potter or pueblo.  We have designated it as being from Acoma but are open to changing our mind.

The deep red color of the petals on the flowers is red clay that has not been in use since the late 1800s.  Several potters at Acoma told me that today's potters do not know where the older ones found that clay bed so perhaps it was exhausted a hundred years ago.

Condition:  the jar is structurally in excellent condition.  There is no spalling and very minor abrasion of the painted surface.  It had a hole at midbody about the diameter of a dime and a small chip at the rim, both of which have been professionally repaired. 

Provenance: from a collector of Pueblo pottery in Colorado

Recommended Reading: Acoma and Laguna Pottery by Rick Dillingham