Acoma Pueblo Lucy Lewis Polychrome Jar [SOLD]

C3987-acoma.jpg

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Lucy Martin Lewis, Acoma Pueblo Potter and Matriarch
  • Category: Modern
  • Origin: Acoma Pueblo, Haak’u
  • Medium: clay, pigment
  • Size: 4-3/8” height x 6-3/8” diameter
  • Item # C3987
  • SOLD

Lucy Martin Lewis (1898-1992) Artist Photo Reference: Fourteen Families In Pueblo Pottery by Rick Dillingham.Lucy Martin Lewis (1898-1992) continued throughout her life making 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.

Lucy Martin Lewis (1898-1992) 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 famous Route 66 for as little as a dollar or two. Today, they command significantly more.

I was recently told by a client that there was a time when Lucy signed her pottery with stick-figure Roadrunner figurines, which refered to the Roadrunner Clan.  I have not heard this before and would be interested if anyone has more information on this. The symbol looks like a K with the lower right leg extended through the letter in a continuing straight line.

This small jar is relatively thick-walled for Acoma pottery; however, it was beautifully formed.  The painted design was exquisitely applied and is very appropriate for the vessel shape.  The single design pattern fits a small jar better than one where the body and neck feature different designs.


Condition: this Acoma Pueblo Lucy Lewis Polychrome Jar is  in very good condition

Provenance: from a family collection from San Diego, California

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

Close up view of side panel designs.