Acoma Pueblo Fine Line Pottery Jar with White Impressed Design Rim by Juana Leno [SOLD]

Although it's not as widely known as Lucy Lewis' work, the pottery made by Juana Leno is some of the finest ever produced at Acoma Pueblo.  This pottery jar was completed in a style which both of these potters explored frequently: a fine line design, with rows of parallel lines intersecting with one another.  Their intersections form diamonds and kite-shaped four-sided geometrics. These figures arrange themselves around center points, forming images that could be flowers or stars.  One should note that an enormous amount of skill is required to successfully execute such a complex design. Leno handled this one beautifully.

Juana Leno left the rim area in the natural white clay and on it she impressed small triangles side by side in five stacked rows.  The bottom, which is signed “Leno, Acoma N.Mex.”, is also exposed white clay. Its shape is similar to that of a made-for-use “tinaja” (or “water jar”) but smaller.  Leno and Lewis produced many jars in this style, and we are always happy to see that collectors continue to appreciate their fine work.

Juana Leno (1917-2000) Syo-ee-mee (Turquoise)—formerly Juana Louis Vallo—was one of the finest potters of the 20th century at Acoma Pueblo. She quietly worked every day producing extraordinary pottery without seeking acclaim. She was a wonderful woman and very modest about her talent to produce such fine pieces. She may not have achieved the fame she was due, but it was not because of the lack of quality in her work, but because she chose to remain quietly at home and not seek fame.

Condition: this Acoma Pueblo Fine Line Pottery Jar with White Impressed Design Rim by Juana Leno is in very good condition with a few minor spall marks.

Provenance: from the collection of a gentleman from Denver, Colorado

Recommended Reading: Acoma & Laguna Pottery by Rick Dillingham

Relative Links: Southwest Indian Pottery, Acoma Pueblo, Contemporary Pottery, Juana Leno, Lucy Lewis