Polychrome Acoma Large Water Jar [SOLD]

This polychrome olla qualifies as an exceptional work of art. The vessel shape is as near perfect as one would expect. The high shoulder provided room for a large area on the main body for the artist to express her artistic talent.

As is traditional at Acoma, the jar was formed in native clay with ground pottery shard temper, has a rag-wiped white slip, red neck interior, and red-slipped underbody with concave base. The point of maximum diameter is as near the equator of the jar as one could calculate.

The design chosen for the body of the vessel is that of a series of birds. The dark brown triangular-shaped items with circles are bird's heads and eyes. The orange areas, outlined in brown, represent the bodies of the birds, as do the fine line areas that are outlined in brown.

The dark brown designs on the shoulder and neck of the jar provide a strong and bold contrast to the more subtle body design. The preciseness of the painted areas illustrates that the potter, or at least the painter, was an outstanding artisan.

Condition:  The jar is in excellent condition. It was examined under UV light and no repairs or restoration are evident.

Provenance: ex. coll. George Marsik

Recommended Reading: Acoma & Laguna Pottery by Rick Dillingham