Black-on-White Acoma Pueblo OLLA by Rose Chino Garcia [SOLD]

This black-on-white OLLA was made by Acoma Pueblo artist Rose Chino Garcia. Rose fashioned a traditional OLLA, or water jar, shape but scaled the piece down just a bit, making a market-friendly version of the type of piece that earlier Acoma residents would have used to carry water. It is elegant in form and strong in design, so it’s a fine tribute to earlier works.

A primary design element appears four times around the OLLA’s exterior. It’s circular, and its bottom half sits comfortably within the curves of the OLLA’s underbody. Its upper edge reaches up to about an inch below the rim, mirroring the movement of the OLLA’s shoulder. This is a complex composition, but it feels graceful and natural throughout. Like the fine earlier works it references, it is intricate but not too busy. This is a well-made piece from one of Acoma’s most significant pottery families.

The bottom of the jar is signed Rose Chino Garcia, Acoma, NM.

Rose Chino Garcia (1928-2000) was an Acoma Pueblo potter. Rose was one of the talented daughters of Marie Z. Chino.  Among her sisters, who also were potters, were Carrie Chino Charlie and Grace Chino.  Rose’s pottery is in the collections of the Peabody Museum at Harvard University, Heard Museum in Phoenix, Philbrook Museum of Art in Tulsa, and numerous private collections. She won awards at the Santa Fe Indian Market as early as 1975.

Condition: excellent condition with a few tiny abrasions

Provenance: this Black-on-White Acoma Pueblo OLLA by Rose Chino Garcia is from a private collection

Recommended Reading: Acoma & Laguna Pottery by Rick Dillingham

TAGS: Acoma Pueblo, Carrie Chino Charlie, Grace Chino, Marie Z. Chino, Pottery, Rose Chino Garcia, Acoma Pueblo Potter