Acoma Pueblo Four Color Jar with Restricted Neck [SOLD]

Acoma Pueblo pottery does not seem to have been influenced by outside sources before 1850, however, around that time, potters began using parrots as a design element. This was most likely the result of outside influences as it seems to have appeared suddenly and not because of decades of slow changes.  The parrot design appeared in the 1850s decade, coincidental with the Santa Fe Trail by which Eastern merchandise came to New Mexico.  There also was the Camino Real from Mexico City to Santa Fe.  The Acoma parrot could have been influenced from Pennsylvania Dutch designs on fabrics or Spanish Colcha embroidery.

The parrots on this jar are beautifully executed in four colors—deep red, orange, black, and white.  Each bird has thick thighs and skinny legs with long claws.  Their crowns are very elaborate.  They are clutching the leaves or blossoms of the flowers and some are eating berries.  In addition to the parrots, there is a chain of flowers across the lower design, and a chain of diamonds above the flowers which continue their range up to the top of the neck of the jar.  Flowers blossom around the neck, as well.

The body of the jar is voluminous, has a high shoulder, and rolls in and upward to an extended and slim neck that gracefully rolls out at the rim.  The lower portion of the vessel is slipped in orange, the base is concave, and the rim is black.

There is a photograph of an unidentified Acoma potter, dated 1902, with three jars with large bodies and elongated necks, like this one.  There is also a photograph, dated 1900, of Mary holding a jar with similar diamond designs.  It is from documented photographs like these that a date of circa 1900 can be placed on this jar.

Condition: The jar tilts slightly, otherwise it is in beautiful condition

Provenance: from a private Santa Fe collection

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