Acoma Pueblo Polychrome Design Jar [SOLD]

Pottery has always been a central feature of the pueblo people, both for ceremonial and utilitarian purposes. Everything about the daily lives of the pueblo people is of a religious nature. They do not look at jars such as this one as an "art object" as we do. To them, it is a utilitarian vessel or in some cases a ceremonial vessel. The fact that it is beautifully decorated is accepted as part of their history and their lives. Pottery is a sacred part of daily life.

Whether a jar was made for use by the potter in her home or whether it was made for sale to a tourist visiting the pueblo is of no consequence. What are important to collectors are age, condition and beauty. Also important to Acoma potters is that potsherds of prehistoric or historic or even contemporary pottery are ground up and added to the clay for making a new pot. Every Acoma pot contains some part of an older pot. This provides a continuum to the two-thousand-year history of Acoma pottery.

This wonderful jar is full of beautiful traditional Acoma Pueblo designs.  The design is not overly complicated but is simply organized and somewhat sparse.  The V-shape elements on the upper half of the wall contains designs executed in black guaco paint. Attached to the V-shape elements are orange triangles, outlined in brown pigment.  Below those elements are stacked triangles in solid black and fine-line black.  The large expanse of white sets the background for the painted designs.

The jar probably dates to the 1950s.  It is not signed with the name of a potter or the name of the pueblo. 

Condition: very good condition.

Provenance:  from the estate of the former Chief Sunny Skies Trading Post which was located on the main street in Carlsbad, New Mexico, for over 40 years and was closed in 1977.  Chief Sunny Sky, whose name was Clyde Hunt, was from Acoma Pueblo.  He was the son of Chief Big Snake (Edward Hunt) also of Acoma Pueblo.  This collection has remained in the family since the trading post was closed in 1977.

Recommended Reading: Acoma & Laguna Pottery by Rick Dillingham