Acoma Pueblo Polychrome Olla, circa 1930s [SOLD]

Pottery has always been a central feature of the pueblo people, both for ceremonial and utilitarian purposes. Everything about the daily lives of the pueblo people is of a religious nature. They do not look at jars such as this one as an "art object" as we do. To them, it is a utilitarian vessel or in some cases a ceremonial vessel. The fact that it is beautifully decorated is accepted as part of their history and their lives. Pottery is a sacred part of daily life.  It is a gift from Mother Earth to the pueblo people.

Whether a jar was made for use by the potter in her home or whether it was made for sale to a tourist visiting the pueblo is of no consequence. What are important to collectors are age, condition and beauty. Also important to Acoma potters is that potsherds of prehistoric or historic or even contemporary pottery are ground up and added to the clay for making a new pot. Every Acoma pot contains some part of an older pot. This provides a continuum to the two thousand year history of Acoma pottery.

This wonderful jar is full of beautiful traditional Acoma Pueblo designs. The potter certainly did not skimp on design when producing this one. The jar was divided into three large diamonds that expand from rim to lower framing line and from diamond to diamond.  Each of the three was bisected by black triangles placed in a vertical position.  It was then that the mastery of the potter began to excel.  The triangles formed by the two diamonds touching at mid body feature spirals with fine line and orange elements.  The diamond sections feature fine line element and black and orange triangles.

The jar is full of design and each element compliments the other elements.  The designer of this jar was a master artist and an exquisite painter.  The jar is magnificent.

Condition: The jar is in excellent condition for a vessel of its age.

Provenance: from the estate of Reggie Sawyer, the Hanging Tree Gallery, Albuquerque

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