Historic Laguna Pottery Jar with Bold Designs

Deciphering Origins: A Comparative Study of Laguna and Acoma Pueblo Pottery

This historic pottery jar has characteristics that make it attributable to a potter from Laguna Pueblo, most likely from a very early period of the 20th century, perhaps circa 1910-1920. The bold geometric design is more structured in a continuous pattern concept than would be expected of a jar from Acoma Pueblo of the same period. The wide black bands followed by the wide bold orange bands form a strong design layout—bolder and less delicate than the typical Acoma jar. The neck pattern, conversely, is lighter and less dense in design than that which is traditionally seen on an Acoma jar of the period. Acoma potters seemed to fill in available space with condensed patterns, whereas Laguna potters left more white slip visible.

It is well recognized that it is difficult to determine if a particular jar was made at Laguna Pueblo in the early 20th century, because they have many similarities to those made at Acoma Pueblo. It is easier to attribute a jar to having been made at Acoma, thereby eliminating the justification for having stated it was made at Laguna. If Rick Dillingham was correct in his analysis of pottery from Acoma and Laguna Pueblos, then we have some design facts to use as justification for selecting Laguna as the origin of a jar. Often, it is a gut feeling when making an attribution to which pueblo a particular jar was made, but that develops with time after examining many jars from both pueblos. It becomes easier to justify a pueblo of origin primarily from the painted design concept.

Dr Edwin Wade, in a letter referring to another jar we have in inventory, beautifully presented an explanation of characteristics and reasoning for them as follows:

"Acoma and Laguna Pueblo pottery are often indistinguishable, which is logical, because in 1699 a portion of Acoma's population left the community in fear of military reprisals from the Spanish in revenge for the Pueblo revolt of 1680. This group started a new Pueblo, referred to as Laguna, and their certain historic Laguna potters evolved their own style unique to this Pueblo. . . . Unlike the finely painted linework, birds, and vegetation characteristic of turn of the 20th century Acoma ‘railroad' tourist ceramics, this . . . composition features massive geometric motifs in stacked bands. It also presents the pumpkin orange paint seen on a number of such Laguna vessels." Those comments by Dr. Wade could clearly apply to this beautiful jar.

Condition: very good condition with some paint abrasions and a lateral mid-body crack that has been stabilized. There is interior evidence of use.

Provenance: this Historic Laguna Pottery Jar with Bold Designs is from a private collection

Recommended Reading: Acoma & Laguna Pottery by Rick Dillingham

TAGS: Southwest Indian Pottery, Acoma Pueblo, Historic Pottery, Laguna Pueblo, Ka'waika