Polychrome Acoma Olla with Paddle Shape Elements [SOLD]

This is an exceptionally fine Acoma Pueblo polychrome olla, dating from circa 1930-1940. As was traditional, the vessel was formed from native clay with the addition of ground pottery shard temper. In painting the vessel, the potter first applied a rag-wiped white slip over which she applied the design of her choice. The standard process of rag-wiping red slip to the interior of the neck was embellished on this jar by painting a darker red slip to the top ½-inch of the 2-1/2-inch wiped-on slip.

In designing the painted areas, the artist chose not to divide the design field into distinct areas separated by division lines; rather, she used the full field to express a single artistic concept over the entire surface. The design combines an interesting combination of motifs—triangles with fine lines, deep red triangles with black rain clouds, spirals executed in black as well as some with fine lines, and beautiful “paddle shapes” with cross-hatching.

The painting is evidence of an outstanding potter. A potter of less talent would most probably have chosen a design of less complication in order to finish the task and sell the jar. This potter, however, showed pride in her work. She spent untold hours designing and applying the design to the jar. A number of design elements could have been omitted in order to speed up the process, but this potter did not do so. That is a sign of a potter producing something of which she could be proud.

Most pueblo pottery vessels have an impact on me—some more than others, but I rarely see a historic jar at which I do not marvel. It is almost as if one could identify with the potter and be a witness to her pride in what she was doing. This could not have been an easy task in the early 20^th century when this jar was made as household chores and family matters must have consumed many hours of a potter’s day, yet she found time to produce an object of beauty. We are lucky today to be able to enjoy the fruits of their talents and patience.

The jar is in very good condition. Examination under UV light did not reveal any repair or overpaint. There is some minor abrasion to the surface, but nothing of significance considering the jar is approaching 100 years of existence.

Provenance: The jar is part of a small collection of pottery amassed by a missionary family in New Mexico during a long career of operating at a number of the pueblos throughout the state.