Acoma Pueblo Four-Color Jar with Parrots [SOLD]

This is an exceptionally fine Acoma Pueblo polychrome olla, dating from the early 20th century. As is traditional at Acoma, it was formed in native clay with ground pottery shard temper and was covered in a rag-wiped white slip. The interior of the neck was painted with orange-red slip as was the underbody, which has a traditional concave base, all traits typical of Acoma pottery. The high point of maximum diameter, design elements, execution and a shorter neck are indicative of vessels of this time period.

The artist laid out her design to encompass the full field of the jar. The design features two large, bold parrots, each under a double rainbow and on opposite sides of the jar. Each parrot is perched onto a plant stem eating berries from the plant. Separating the two parrot designs are strong and bold stylized bird elements, also on opposite sides of the jar. They are above the double rainbow design. The rim top is black, and the pair of framing lines below the design area is painted in mineral black, which is really dark brown, and feature very small ceremonial breaks.

This design is the most sought after in Acoma ceramics. It is the style every collector cherishes, particularly when executed in four colors—white, red, black, and orange.

Condition: The jar is currently structurally in excellent condition. There has been some professional reconstruction, mostly in the lower body under the decorated portion of the jar. UV light examination reveals several areas where surface cracks were filled in and over-painted. There are a few scratches here and there but certainly nothing obtrusive.