Intricate and Unique Historic Acoma Polychrome OLLA c. 1930s

Known for their highly unique pottery designs, this extraordinary and historic OLLA, or water jar, stands out as a quintessential example of Acoma Pueblo style. Thin walled with intricate motifs all around, this jar, like every Acoma jar, incorporates shards of old Acoma pottery in order to honor those who have come before. This practice makes every Acoma jar a special piece of history.

In this jar, the patterns, of which there are many, are especially striking. The elements seen here are likely adapted from prehistoric pottery, as many of these symbols have been passed down through generations. Perhaps the focal points of the design are the three circular shapes, placed equidistant from each other around the body of the jar, which contain many rotating symbols within them. Some of these symbols are kiva steps, symmetrical bands, rain clouds, and an x in the center of this circular pattern. Also interestingly, each of these circular motifs contains slightly different coloring. One is a pure brown, another is an orangish-brown, and the last is a pure orange.

Other symbols seen on the jar include arrows, striped triangles and squares, black triangles, rectangular elements with symmetrical orange, and white designs within them, and many others. The colors used are orange, brown, and black over a tan slip, all highly traditional for Acoma Pueblo.

The bottom is orange and underneath is signed Acoma Pottery.

The artist of this piece truly went above and beyond to create a one-of-a-kind, distinctive treasure that showcases all the best components of Acoma pottery. One can spend hours admiring the elaborate and highly symbolic depictions, as well as the beautiful color patterns, all around this pot.

Acoma consists of several villages, but the best known is the one referred to as "Sky City." It sits atop a 357-foot mesa that was inaccessible to enemy raids for centuries because there was only one way up— a heavily guarded narrow stairway where one had to use handholds to ascend. Today, there is a paved road to the top. That is the only modern-day convenience, however, as there is no running water, electricity, or telephone lines. A little more than 50 people live on top of the mesa year-round; the remainder of the people live in the farming villages below. Acoma Pueblo artists are known for their intricate fine black-line rain pottery. Their Feast Day is September 2nd, honoring their patron saint, St. Stephen.

Condition: Good condition

Provenance: this Intricate and Unique Historic Acoma Polychrome OLLA c. 1930s is from a private New Mexico collection.

Recommended Reading: The Pottery of Acoma Pueblo by Dwight P. Lanmon and Francis H. Harlow, 2013. Museum of New Mexico Press, Santa Fe

TAGS: Southwest Indian Pottery, Acoma Pueblo, Historic Pottery