Polychrome Acoma Olla with Birds [SOLD]

This is an exceptionally fine Acoma Pueblo polychrome olla, dating from circa 1930s. Formed in native clay with ground pottery shard temper, this vessel exhibits a rag-wiped white slip, orange/red neck interior and orange/red-slipped underbody with concave base, typical of Acoma pottery. The high point of maximum diameter, design elements, execution and a shorter neck are indicative of vessels created after 1900.

The artist divided the design area into three horizontal bands. She then painted designs in the upper and lower bands with S-hooked elements forming a chain around the vessel, above which she filled in the upper void with fine lines and the lower void with orange/red slip.

The middle band is the one where she revealed her humor in adding a line of humorous birds marching along in line around the vessel.

The jar is in excellent condition. The previous owner purchased it from Santa Fe collector Richard M. Howard, who dated it circa 1930s.