Acoma Pueblo Polychrome Jar with Strap Handles, circa 1920 [SOLD]

Early in the 20^th century, as an inducement to tourists, potters from most of the pueblos adopted vessel forms not traditional to their pueblos.  The depression era was affecting their sales and they were eager to make what they felt would appeal to the few travelers who were venturing to the pueblos.  The early ones were traditional in size and design with only minor vessel shape changes. 

This jar, with the restricted neck, fluted rim, and a pair of strap handles is one of the vessel shapes that Acoma potters made in an attempt to appeal to tourists.  The neck is too restrictive to permit use of a gourd ladle and the pair of handles is non-functional for lifting a jar full of water.  These changes to traditional Acoma water jars, although minor, were believed to appeal to buyers who might not like the traditional olla shape used by the pueblo homeowner. 

This early period of catering to the desires of travelers was a period where the quality of pottery was still high but it was followed later in the century by a decline in quality when potters started making ashtrays, trinkets and knickknacks. 

The quality of this jar is equal to that being made previously.  Only the shape was a compromise and it was not a bad change at all.  It provided variety to the previously-made standardized vessel shape of water jars.  Also, designs on these early 20^th century jars continued to be creative and well executed—equal to that being applied to late 19^th century vessels.

Condition:  excellent condition for a jar approaching an age of 100 years.

Provenance: from an Albuquerque gentleman

Recommended Reading: Acoma and Laguna Pottery by Rick Dillingham