Amazing Acoma Pueblo Black on White Olla [SOLD]

This is a superb 20th century jar from Acoma Pueblo, dating to 1930s or 1940s. Although the design is a two-color—black on white—the jar technically is classed as Polychrome because the orange underbody adds the third color.  The base coat consists of a rag-wiped white slip and there is a red neck interior and black rim top. This olla is typified to these dates by the high shoulder, short neck, and absence of flexure at the transition from under- to mid-body.

Acoma Pueblo clay, as well as that from most pueblos, requires a tempering agent to be mixed with the clay in preparation for forming pottery.  Acoma potters gather broken pottery fragments from the grounds of the pueblo and grind them up to a powdery substance and that is then added to the clay as a temper agent.  The result of doing this is a continuation of the life of a previous pot into the life of a new pot, resulting in an unbroken chain of continuity in the life of Acoma pottery.

The design on the neck and body is repeated four time on the jar.  The neck design is one that might be referred to as clouds, checkerboard, and feathers.  Continuing on down from the mid-point shoulder is a corner element with a bird's eye and then a series of connected triangles with fine lines and crisscross lines.  The element with an eye is repeated in the lower corner of the panel as well.  Basically the design panel is divided into two sections and the upper and lower sections are mirror images.

It must have been a difficult design to formulate and repeat four times without error.  It is admirable that a potter could be so creative artistically and precise in application of her thoughts.  It is much more difficult to apply a design on a completely circular surface than placing one on paper, particularly if one is placing a design that is to match one on the opposite side of the jar that is not visible at the time.

Condition: very good condition, solid ring, minor scratches for this historic jar.

Recommended Reading: Acoma & Laguna Pottery by Rick Dillingham

Provenance: from a family collection from Pennsylvania