Bulbous Pottery Water Canteen from Acoma Pueblo [SOLD]

Traditionally, canteens were made at the pueblos for the men to fill with water and take to the fields with them. Of course, collectors sought after them as well, so potters began making them to sell. This one from Acoma is particularly well made. It has a bulbous shape reminiscent of prehistoric canteen shapes. It is larger than most that were made for sale to tourists so it probably was made for pueblo use, until, that is, when a hole got punctured into the body. At that point, it became available for purchase.

The central design on the body of the canteen is a mirror image of rectangles, squares, triangles and lines.  Surrounding this central square and attached to it are four orange triangular peaks with solid black elements.  Black triangles fill in the four areas between these orange triangles. 

Condition: this Bulbous Pottery Water Canteen from Acoma Pueblo is structurally in very good condition.  There is a small hole in the red back and minor clay abrasion on one lug handle.

Provenance:  from the estate of the former Chief Sunny Skies Trading Post, located on the main street in Carlsbad, New Mexico, for over 40 years and which was closed in 1977.  Chief Sunny Sky, whose other 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 

Relative Links: Acoma, prehistoric, Chief Sunny Skies, Southwest Indian Pottery