Acoma Pueblo Historic Polychrome Storage Jar [SOLD]

This Acoma jar invites contemplation, a vessel that transcends time, bridging past and present.

This extraordinary and historic large storage jar stands as a quintessential example of Acoma Pueblo style, renowned for its highly unique pottery designs. Crafted with thin walls and adorned with intricate motifs, this vessel transcends mere functionality—it is a testament to the intersection of art and heritage.

Every Acoma jar carries within it a silent homage to the past. This particular jar, like its counterparts, incorporates shards of old Acoma pottery, paying tribute to those who shaped the tradition. Each fragment whispers stories of generations gone by, their hands molding clay into vessels that served both practical needs and aesthetic sensibilities.

The patterns placed upon this jar are nothing short of captivating. Passed down through time, they bear the weight of ancestral knowledge. Imagine tracing your fingers along the four repeated motifs, vertically aligned around the jar's body. At each juncture, an orange triangle meets an inverted black triangle, forming a harmonious diamond. Below this geometric wonder, curved rain clouds extend gracefully, framing the vessel's lower edge. Within this celestial embrace, three smaller triangular forms emerge—a dance of clouds and rain.

Between these major design elements, four additional patterns echo the hovering rain clouds. Inverted and suspended from the upper framing line, they create a rhythm of balance and symmetry. And behold the beautifully curved neck, encircled by diagonal black rectangles. Split at their centers, they reveal slivers of white—a subtle contrast against the earthy hues.

The color palette—orange, brown, and black—echoes tradition, rooted in the soul of Acoma Pueblo. The bottom section of the jar, bathed in orange, mirrors the sun's warmth. The interior of the neck holds the same hue. The rim, stark black, frames the vessel's story.

The artist behind this masterpiece poured heart and skill into its creation. A one-of-a-kind treasure, it encapsulates the very essence of Acoma pottery—the delicate balance between form and symbolism. As you gaze upon it, may you uncover layers of meaning, connecting with the spirit of those nameless hands that shaped beauty from clay. 

Storage jars from Acoma are rare, and this vessel is a particularly impressive example. At seventeen inches in diameter, this is a notably large piece. We'd like to roll back the clock to the time period during which this piece was made, and congratulate the potter for creating this masterpiece.

The jar is in excellent condition for one over a hundred years old. The history of the jar is interesting. Following is a reproduction of a letter that accompanies the jar:

"This Acoma is from the original collection of Ralph and Rowena Meyers. It has stayed over 100 years in this collection.

"My grandmother Rowena has always told the story of Ralph Meyers riding on horseback from Taos, N.M. to Acoma to pick up this particular item. He carefully rode back to Taos sleeping alongside the Rio Grande River with his cherished olla.

"It was in the middle of a hot summer in 1908 when he made this incredible journey. This was the year he also started the original trading Post in Taos known then as The Mission Shop. This Acoma was one of Ralph's prized possessions.

"Ralph Meyers was an incredible artist in his own right and was good friends with the Taos Artists Society and was best friends with Mabel Dodge Luhan. He is buried in Kit Carson cemetery next to Mabel."

Signed, Ester Corten?, dated April 2, 2010

El Rincon Trading Post
114 Kit Carson
Taos NM 87571.