Historic Acoma Pueblo Black-on-White Jar with Spirals [SOLD]

This black-on-white jar was created by an unknown Acoma Pueblo potter, most likely in the early 1900s. With unsigned jars like this one, we often use the look and feel of the piece to estimate age. Sometimes, a specific shape, design element, or type of clay will allow us to make a more specific statement of age. With this wonderful jar, we can offer only an estimation based on many years' experience handling pueblo pottery.

As far as form goes, this is an exemplary piece. It has a classic Acoma olla shape, but it's a bit smaller than the typical example. It was clearly formed and fired with skill and care by an experienced potter. Its walls, interestingly, are a bit thicker than one would expect of an Acoma pot.

The primary design element consists of a pair of linked spirals. A line begins just below the shoulder, completes three circles around itself, and then curves downward, where it completes a mirror image of the same form. This element repeats twice, covering much of the jar's exterior. Triangular elements and plant motifs appear around the main designs, linking the two instances of the primary spiral element together. These designs flow smoothly into and around one another, forming an inventive continuous design using ancestral motifs.

Condition: very good condition with a few thin cracks near the rim

Provenance: this Historic Acoma Pueblo Black-on-White Jar with Spirals is from a private collection

Recommended Reading: The Pottery of Acoma Pueblo by Dwight P. Lanmon and Francis H. Harlow, 2013. Museum of New Mexico Press, Santa Fe

TAGS: Southwest Indian Pottery, Acoma Pueblo, Historic Pottery