Acoma Pueblo Polychrome Double Lobe Jar, circa 1890

This is a very different and quite rare modification of jar form. The mid-body is sharply waisted and highlighted with an orange band. The upper and lower sections are decorated differently, with the upper lobe showing two panels and the lower lobe having a single panel of design.

The decorations on the upper lobe are stacked rectangles in domino form, consisting of an orange center outlined on all four sides with black parallel lines. The next level consists of kite-shaped black elements in two rows, separated by a continuing line of small black dots. It is likely that the black elements are clouds, and the dots are rain.

The lower lobe has a repeated pattern of black triangles in an upside- down orientation snuggled on each leg by cream slipped ovals, each of which has a pair of orange ovals separated by a single large black dot. There is a line of small dots, also likely representing rain. This design element is repeated five times around the lower lobe. Below the lower lobe is the traditional base of an Acoma jar; concave underbody and dark orange slipped sidewall.

It appears that double-lobed jars from Acoma Pueblo existed from about 1870 to 1910. There is no evidence of why they were made in this form or why they ceased to exist after 1910.

Condition: excellent condition

Provenance: this Acoma Pueblo Polychrome Double Lobe Jar, circa 1890 is from the collection of a client of Adobe Gallery

Reference: The Pottery of Acoma Pueblo by Dwight P. Lanmon and Francis H. Harlow. (Chapter 22 "Unusual Forms of Acoma Pottery")

TAGS: Southwest Indian Pottery, Acoma Pueblo, Historic Pottery