Acoma Pueblo Classic Lucy Lewis Heartline Deer Pottery Jar [SOLD]

This magnificent Acoma Pueblo pottery jar by Lucy Lewis is one of her masterpieces.  The jar is covered in white slip from rim to underside and designed with 10 heartline deer figures, the most Adobe Gallery has seen on similar jars.  Past jars we have had have been designed with a single row of deer but this one has a double row.

The heartline deer is accepted as a traditional design from Zuni Pueblo, having been used on pottery for a hundred years.  It has been stated that Lucy Lewis liked the design and asked Zuni Pueblo leaders if she could have permission to use it on her pottery. Apparently, she was granted permission to do so.

The jar has a black rim, below which is a thin black framing line.  Neither the rim nor framing line has a ceremonial line break.  There is no framing line at the bottom of the jar. The jar is signed Lucy M. Lewis Acoma.

Lucy continued throughout her life to make pottery in the traditional way; digging and preparing clay, grinding potsherds 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.  This jar was certainly made in that fashion.  Judging by the quality of the work on this jar, it is estimated to date to the mid-twentieth century.

Lucy Martin Lewis had a long and illustrious life.  She was born around 1898 and passed away on March 12, 1992 at a supposed age of 93. Her year of birth is not known. She spent nearly all her life atop the high mesa of Acoma Pueblo, making pottery since the age of 7. She is largely responsible for the revival of Mimbres black-on-white pottery designs which are more than 1,000 years old. She was famous, as well, for her exquisite polychrome designs and her fine-line and lightning designs.

Condition: the Acoma Pueblo Classic Lucy Lewis Heartline Deer Pottery Jar is in excellent condition with only a few minor spall spots

Provenance: from the collection of a client from Illinois

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

Relative Links: Acoma Pueblo, Pueblo Pottery, Lucy Martin Lewis, Acoma Pueblo Potter