Acoma Polychrome Parrot Design Wedding Vessel [SOLD]

Travelers to New Mexico who have been to Acoma Pueblo are familiar with the original village atop the mesa known today as Sky City.  It was on top of that mesa in 1898 that Lucy Martin Lewis was born and it was there that she grew up without the benefit of going to school.  It was there also that she was struck by lightning in the 1960s. There was little hope that she would ever work again, but with perseverance she regained her muscle strength and went on to become one of the most recognized potters at Acoma Pueblo.

Famous photographer Laura Gilpin took Lucy Lewis to Santa Fe in 1958 to meet Dr. Kenneth Chapman, then the director of the New Mexico Museum.  Chapman had been an influence on Maria and Julian Martinez in the 1920s. Now he would influence Lucy Lewis by showing her examples of ancient pottery that were her heritage.  Lewis adopted many of these designs and used them throughout her life.

Wedding vessels such as this one have been made at most of the New Mexico Pueblos throughout the 20th century.  Whether they were actually used ceremonially at all the pueblos is unknown. The only documented record of which I am aware is a statement by Teresita Naranjo of Santa Clara Pueblo who explained how such were used at her pueblo and she stated that it had not been customary to do so since 1935.  Perhaps interest by collectors has kept alive the tradition of making wedding vessels, if not their actual use.

This wedding vessel has a twisted handle, representing the union of the couple, two spouts from which to drink, two parrots above the rainbow and two below, a double rainbow, flowers in pairs, and rain clouds in pairs—perhaps everything in pairs to represent the couple being married.

Condition: very good condition with a very few minor spall marks

Recommended Reading:  Lucy M. Lewis: American Indian Potter by Susan Peterson.  

Provenance: from a gentleman in Albuquerque

Lucy Lewis (1898-1992) Acoma Pueblo - image Adobe Gallery