Acoma Pueblo Polychrome Pottery Jar by Mary Histia [SOLD]

C4264B-acoma.jpg

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Mary Histia, Acoma Pueblo Potter
  • Category: Modern
  • Origin: Acoma Pueblo, Haak’u
  • Medium: clay, pigment
  • Size: 7-⅜” height x 10-¼” diameter
  • Item # C4264B
  • SOLD

Mary Histia image courtesy of the Jeffrey Trent Collection.This is a strikingly beautiful Acoma Pueblo Polychrome Pottery Jar by artist Mary Histia with a high shoulder decorated in black-on-white designs with highlights in a vivid orange color.  The intricate design is a series of curvilinear, rectilinear, and fine-line elements combined in a manner that is as contemporary as any design and yet reflects its roots of a thousand years ago.  One immediately suspects it is the work of famous Acoma Pueblo potter Mary Histia (1893/1895-1973).  

The design was executed in a strong dark brown vegetal pigment with minimal highlights in orange slip.  The orange filled rectangular bars are outlined in brown pigment with extremely fine and detailed lines. The cream background slip features burnishing marks and minor abrasions at the rim.

Histia deserves to be classed as a Modernist artist. Her art is old, yet alive and dynamic—an expression of a continuing vigor. She did not confine her art to a mere repetition of her previous work, nor did she resort to meaningless geometric designs. Instead she continually experimented and added to her repertoire. Her designs are at once classic and modern. The Tularosa-style designs were a favorite of hers although she produced innumerable other designs.

On the underneath are indications in brown pigment M.H. Acoma Indian.  These notations appear to have been applied before firing as they do not come off when checked with Acetone.  One can only assume they were applied by the artist.


Artist Hallmark signature - Mary Histia, Acoma Pueblo Potter

Condition: this Acoma Pueblo Polychrome Pottery Jar by Mary Histia is in very good condition

Provenance: A handwritten note accompanying the jar states: “Provenance: Collected at Acoma Pueblo in the 1920s by Doris Zygkarchevsko of Carmel, California.  Purchased from Peggy and Stan Morgan of Carmel California. Peggy inherited the pot from her grandmother.  She brought it to the Monterey, Ca. Indian Show in 2008 where we purchased it from her.” The note appears to be from California dealer Steve Shearer

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

Mary Histia image courtesy of the Jeffrey Trent Collection.

Realtive Links: Acoma PuebloSouthwest Indian PotteryMary Histia

Mary Histia, Acoma Pueblo Potter
  • Category: Modern
  • Origin: Acoma Pueblo, Haak’u
  • Medium: clay, pigment
  • Size: 7-⅜” height x 10-¼” diameter
  • Item # C4264B
  • SOLD

C4264B-acoma.jpgC4264B-large.jpg Click on image to view larger.