Acoma Pueblo Extraordinary Large Olla [SOLD]

Birds on Acoma pottery predominate between 1880 and 1910.  Many such jars feature birds that are definitely identifiable as parrots but fewer contain smaller birds that are definitely not parrots.  This jar features two of the smaller birds.

The entire jar is decorated in black on white with only two orange stems under each bird.  There is a strong Zuni influence in the design.  Each bird is enclosed in a box similar to the manner in which Zuni potters enclose the heartline deer in a cave-like house.  Capped spirals filled with exquisite parallel fine lines are shown throughout the design similar to that used at Zuni.

On each side of the box containing a bird are circles with an eye, each suggesting another bird.  The bird within the box has triangular black thighs, stick legs, and clawed feet which are clutching a plant with seeds or berries.  The bird has a long triangular parted beak.  Cross hatching covers the entire body and feathers of the bird.

Fine lines were exuberantly used throughout the decoration.  The design panels between the bird elements are absolutely beautifully haphazard in a structured manner.  At first glance, there seems no logic to the design but a moment of study reveals a beautifully arranged panel of geometric shapes filled with perfectly parallel black lines.  The design is similar to those seen in mid-19^th century Acomita pottery.

The black paint was applied in sufficient density to produce a strong appearance and there is evidence in the fineness of detail that the potter was very experienced in constructing and decorating pottery.  This is one of the most beautifully executed pottery jars of the period and was definitely from the hand of one of the most experienced and talented potters at Acoma.

There is an Acoma large storage jar pictured in the new book on Acoma pottery that undoubtedly was made by the same potter who made this jar.  They are quite similar in design and quality of workmanship.  It is too bad that the potter of these two jars is not known by name because she certainly must have been one of the truly outstanding potters of the turn of the 20^th century and deserves to be known by name.  The one potter who comes to mind is Mary Histia because we have had one jar by her in which she painted an eagle in a boxed in area and also had two Zuni-like medallions on the same jar.  The similarity between the Zuni-like designs on the two jars is persuasive.

Condition: excellent condition

Provenance: obtained from a gentleman in Santa Fe

Recommended Reading: The Pottery of Acoma Pueblo by Harlow and Lanmon