Historic Acoma Polychrome Jar with Tularosa Swirl 1930s

This Acoma Polychrome jar from the 1930s is a striking example of classic Pueblo pottery, notable for its balanced design and unusual color combination. The jar features bold red and black pigments applied over a warm tan slip, creating a vivid visual contrast that enhances the rhythmic flow of the painted motifs.

The central design element is a variation of the Tularosa swirl, a motif that traces its origins to the ancient Mogollon culture of the Tularosa Basin in southern New Mexico. Typically rendered as a spiraling or rotating pattern of curved lines or interlocking forms, the Tularosa swirl represents water, movement, and the continuity of life. While this design is more commonly found in prehistoric pottery, its presence on an Acoma vessel reflects both the enduring influence of ancestral iconography and the artist's creative adaptation of traditional forms.

Measuring 7 inches in height, the jar is unsigned but skillfully executed, with carefully painted lines and thoughtful composition. This jar offers a compelling blend of cultural heritage, historical resonance, and artistic finesse.

Condition: Very good condition overall, with a 6-inch vertical rim crack that is very faint and barely noticeable.

Provenance: This Historic Acoma Polychrome Jar with Tularosa Swirl 1930s is from a collector in Arizona.

Recommended Reading: Acoma & Laguna Pottery by Rick Dillingham

TAGS: Southwest Indian Pottery, Acoma Pueblo, Historic Pottery