Acoma Pueblo Polychrome Wide Shoulder Historic Pottery Jar [SOLD]

Acoma Pueblo potters traditionally fill the area of a vessel with a variety of designs.  Sometimes, the design goes from base to rim without divisions into sections. At other times, the jar is divided into horizontal bands and each band features a different design.  That is the path this potter chose. The jar is sectioned into three design areas.  

Around the neck of the vessel there are five divisions and the same design was applied in each—large areas of white curved designs outlined in black, and two sections filled with black parallel lines.  The shoulder or midbody of the jar is filled with a continuous string of arrowheads, each filled with parallel black lines.

The more complicated design section is the lower body.  It was laid out in five sections, each containing the same design—a box containing designs divided among two triangular areas, one of which is black on white with designs similar to those on the neck and one in the shape of an arrow with black and orange elements.  

This historic pottery jar has an exaggerated shape, flaring upward and outward to a very wide and high width just below the neck.  It is this feature, along with an exceptional design layout, that sets this jar above many jars of the period, circa 1930s.  

Condition: the jar has a beautiful ring indicating an excellent firing.  There are a few fire clouds around the neck area.

Provenance: this Acoma Pueblo Polychrome Wide Shoulder Historic Pottery Jar is from the estate of Tom Dickerson, former potter and lifetime resident of Santa Fe, and avid collector of Native arts.

Recommended Reading: Acoma & Laguna Pottery by Rick Dillingham

Relative Links: Southwest Indian Pottery, Acoma Pueblo, Historic Pottery