Acoma Pueblo Polychrome Parrot Design Pottery Jar by Marie Z. Chino [SOLD]

Looking back at our dozens of previously listed works by Acoma Pueblo artist Marie Z. Chino, we see an admirably diverse group of pottery.  Chino created water jars, canteens, figurines, and an incredible variety of unique forms.  Her designs were similarly wide-ranging, from ancestral Mimbres designs in black to colorful polychrome figures and strong geometric patterns.  Chino’s versatility was rare, and most certainly worthy of celebration.  This polychrome jar shows Chino working wonders with polychrome figurative designs.

Chino’s primary design repeats three times around the body of this large vessel.  Each repetition centers around a parrot.  A circle made of diamonds surrounds each parrot.  From this circular design, plants emerge.  Some have bloomed into flowers, and others are still closed bulbs.  These flowers rise from the diamonds’ edges, reaching out and connecting with the edges of the adjacent designs’ diamonds, connecting each element and each repetition together. 

The vessel’s wide body curves inward sharply at the shoulder, before curving upward in a similarly dramatic manner to a thin neck.  It is an excellent shape that matches the strength of the design.  The white slip and the orange and black pigments used atop it are smoothly and evenly applied, with a visible texture that looks and feels excellent.  This beautiful, stylish jar is one of the finest works by Marie Z. Chino that we’ve ever handled.

The bottom of the jar is signed “Marie Z. Chino, Acoma, N. Mex.”

Marie Z. Chino (1907-1982) is considered one of the significant ceramicists at Acoma and was the matriarch of a very talented family of potters. She is best known for her black-on-white pottery.  Along with Lucy Lewis and Sarah Garcia she led the revival of ancient pottery forms of the ancestral pueblo potters. She was one of the women who was inspirational in the movement to revive the use of ancient Mimbres designs on contemporary Acoma pottery.  Chino passed away in 1982.

Condition: excellent condition with no visible issues

Provenance: this Acoma Pueblo Polychrome Parrot Design Pottery Jar by Marie Z. Chino is from a private New Mexico collection

Recommended Reading:  Acoma & Laguna Pottery by Rick Dillingham

Relative Links: Acoma Pueblo, pottery making, Carrie Chino Charlie, Rose Chino Garcia, Grace Chino, Marie Zieu Chino