Acoma Pueblo Heartline Deer Design Jar [SOLD]

C3932D-lucy.jpg

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Lucy Martin Lewis, Acoma Pueblo Potter and Matriarch
  • Category: Modern
  • Origin: Acoma Pueblo, Haak’u
  • Medium: clay, pigment
  • Size: 3-3/4” height x 5” diameter
  • Item # C3932D
  • SOLD

Picture of Lucy M Lewis of Acoma Pueblo - Artist Photo Reference: Fourteen Families In Pueblo Pottery by Rick Dillingham.This jar is designed with what is accepted as Zuni heartline deer, a traditional design on Zuni Polychrome pottery for over a hundred years.  It has been stated that Lucy Lewis liked the design and asked Zuni leaders if she could have permission to use it on her pottery.  Apparently, she was granted permission to do so. 

 

The deer is the only design on the Acoma Pueblo jar.  The white slip covers the entire surface from rim to base excluding a very fine framing line just below the black rim.  There is no lower framing line below the deer. Those who knew Lucy or at least are familiar with her pottery will recall that the use of heartline deer was one of her personal favorite designs and a favorite of many collectors. 

 

Lucy Martin Lewis (1898-1992) Lucy M. Lewis - signature.This jar is signed Lucy M. Lewis. Earlier, there was a time when she did not sign her pottery, identifying them only by their place of origin: Acoma, N. M. or Sky City, N. M. At that time, Lucy sold her pottery from a roadside stand on Route 66 for as little as a dollar or two. Today, they command significantly more.

 

Lucy continued throughout her life to make pottery in the traditional way; digging and preparing clay, grinding potshards for temper; coiling the clay into a vessel shape, making her paints from plant and mineral elements, and firing the finished vessels in an open outdoor handmade kiln.

 

Condition: very good condition

Provenance: from the collection of a southern New Mexico family

Recommended Reading: Lucy M. Lewis: American Indian Potter by Susan Peterson

Picture of Lucy M Lewis of Acoma Pueblo - Artist Photo Reference: Fourteen Families In Pueblo Pottery by Rick Dillingham.

close up view of the Zuni style heartline deer image.

Lucy Martin Lewis, Acoma Pueblo Potter and Matriarch
  • Category: Modern
  • Origin: Acoma Pueblo, Haak’u
  • Medium: clay, pigment
  • Size: 3-3/4” height x 5” diameter
  • Item # C3932D
  • SOLD

C3932D-lucy.jpgC3932D-large.jpg Click on image to view larger.