Acoma Pueblo Historic Pottery Jar with Hummingbird Design [SOLD]

It is unfortunate that more accurate collection data was not recorded in the late 19^th and early 20^th centuries when museums and collectors were amassing major pottery collections from New Mexico Pueblos.  There are thousands of pottery vessels in museums throughout the United States and Europe with no indication of the name of the potter.  Mostly, these items were collected as ethnographic materials, not art objects.  As ethnographic materials, they were simply items being used daily in the homes and it was not important to determine or record the maker’s name.  Today, we see these as art objects and would relish being able to identify the maker.

There were less than 500 recorded residents of Acoma Pueblo in 1850 and no more than 900 in 1880 and about 1200 in 1920.  Assuming the families had several children, then there would only be about 1/4^th of the population as potters.  Of the less than 300 potters in 1920, which one could have made this amazing jar?  If only we knew.

The vessel shape—low and wide with a short neck—was probably a style preferred by a single potter or a family of potters of the same household.  The rotational symmetry of the design is a continuous connection from hummingbird to hummingbird.  The exaggerated curve of the beak of one hummingbird connects to a four-direction cloud symbol that, in turn, connects to the beak of the adjacent hummingbird.  Such a design must have been mastered by a single potter and used in other jars.  It is too well executed to have been used just once.  There must be other jars with this beautiful design but I did not find any pictured in the massive authoritative book on Acoma pottery.

The eight hummingbirds were executed in black pigment and only a minor amount of red was used in adjoining designs.  The co-joined hummingbirds command the major portion of the jar, extending from just above the lower framing lines to just below the rim.  The vessel is thin walled and rings beautifully.  A potter with an expert sense of design was the maker of this jar.  The next owner of this jar is fortunate indeed. 

Condition: very good condition

Provenance: this Acoma Pueblo Historic Pottery Jar with Hummingbird Design is from the collection of a family from California

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