Historic Acoma Pueblo Polychrome Pottery Jar with Exquisite Birds [SOLD]

This is a superb and unusual hand-coiled historic pottery work from Acoma Pueblo, dating to circa 1930s. The white slip was applied to the entire surface as the base coat on which to place the design. There is no orange underbody as seen on most pottery of this period. The white slip continues for about three inches inside the neck.

The jar has its widest point at mid-body and there is no flexure at the transition from under- to mid-body. The underbody is flat and there is no puki line or lower framing line as the design continues to the base of the jar. Above the framing lines at the top of the body, the jar departs from what is considered traditional Acoma geometrics in the design to something lighter and cheerful-birds of exquisite beauty.

There are three black and white birds around the neck, each clutching a leafy plant with berries. The birds are very much like those by Mary Histia and it is quite likely that this is one of her creations, but it is not signed with her name, only with Acoma N. Mex.

The Mary Histia birds are the highlight of the design of the jar, although there is no slacking the geometric design. It was beautifully executed with strong black pigment, graceful layout and stylized birds with hooked beaks near the base. Both designs, birds and geometrics, work well together here, and indicate to us that a masterful potter created this jar. There is a slight tilt but not significantly detracting.

Condition: this Historic Acoma Pueblo Polychrome Pottery Jar with Exquisite Birds is in very good condition

Provenance: from a gentleman in Santa Fe

Recommended Reading: Acoma & Laguna Pottery by Rick Dillingham

Relative Links: Southwest Indian Pottery, Acoma Pueblo, Historic Pottery, Mary Histia