Wonderful Four-Color Acoma Pueblo Parrot Jar [SOLD]

This is an exceptionally fine Acoma Pueblo four-color polychrome olla, dating from either the late 19th or early 20th Century. Formed in native clay with ground pottery shard temper, this vessel exhibits a rag-wiped white slip, orange-red neck interior, and orange-red-slipped underbody with concave base, 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 chose not to divide the design field into distinct areas separated by division lines. Rather, she chose to use the full field to express a single artistic concept, and this she did beautifully. The main body features large, bold whimsical parrots over and under an undulating rainbow. Each parrot is perched onto a plant stem or leaf. The rim is fluted and its top is black. The framing lines are worked in mineral black, which is really dark brown, and have ceremonial breaks.

The rainbow is outlined in black paint, but the other orange design elements (parrot's feathers and floral elements) are without outlining.

Condition:  Very good condition.  No evidence of repairs or restoration.

Provenance:  from a gentleman in Santa Fe

Recommended Reading: The Pottery of Acoma Pueblo by Harlow and Lanmon