Classic Acoma Jar with Heartline Deer [SOLD]

This jar is designed with what is accepted as Zuni heartline deer, a traditional design on Zuni Polychrome pottery for over a hundred years.  It has been stated that Lucy Lewis liked the design and asked Zuni Pueblo leaders if she could have permission to use it on her pottery. Apparently, she was granted permission to do so. 

The deer is the primary design with a pair of rain clouds separating each deer.  The white slip covers the entire surface from rim to base excluding a very fine framing line just below the black rim.  There is no lower framing line below the deer. Those who knew Lucy, or at least are familiar with her pottery, will recall that the use of heart line deer was one of her personal favorite designs and a favorite of many collectors.

This jar is signed Lucy M. Lewis Acoma. N.M. and dated 10 - ”1969” on the underside. 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 Route 66 for as little as a dollar or two. Today, they command significantly more.

Lucy continued throughout her life to make pottery in the traditional way; digging and preparing clay, grinding potsherds 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.  This jar was certainly made in that fashion.

Condition: this Classic Acoma Jar with Heartline Deer is in very good condition

Provenance: from the collection of a family from Washington State

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