Adobe Gallery Blog
Historic Acoma Pueblo Polychrome Used Water Jar - C3819A
Every handmade pottery jar has its own charm and idiosyncrasies. Some teach us a lesson. The lesson learned from this jar is that a potter cannot erase a painted line once applied. This potter first drew a pair of lines and then realized that they needed to be about an inch from where she drew them, so she attempted to erase them but the telltale signs remain. Such a change of plans by a potter does not ruin a finished jar but reminds us that each one is handmade without use of any mechanical drawing instruments or computer programs. It is amazing that we see fewer of these change of plans by potters. That reinforces our admiration for the talent they possess.
The design layout on this jar starts with paired black lines that divide the painted area into six equal triangular quadrants. Within these triangles, the design is the same but anchored to a bottom framing line in some and anchored from a rim framing line in alternate triangles.