Small Acoma Polychrome Canteen, circa 1930s [SOLD]

Traditionally, small canteens were made at the pueblos for the men to fill with water and take to the fields with them. Of course, collectors sought after them as well, so the women potters began making them to sell. Usually they were made smaller than the functional ones. This one from Acoma is particularly well made and is smaller than a functional one would be. It obviously was made to sell to a visitor to the pueblo.

The traditional Acoma features are all present: coarse, white paste, of a distinctly chunky texture, use of ground pottery shards as temper, orange-red underbody, and rag-wiped white slip, over which is a bold design executed in brown vegetal paint. Double framing lines divide the decorated area from the orange-red underbody. The framing lines both have ceremonial breaks.

The condition of the canteen is excellent. Although the design is executed in Black-on-white the red underbody qualifies the canteen as Polychrome. The date of this piece is circa 1930s.