Historic Acoma Pueblo Four-color Polychrome Child’s Water Jar [SOLD]

Acoma four-color polychrome jars with birds, flowers and rainbows are among the most popular of pueblo pottery.  Add a fluted rim and a small size and the desirability increases.  This small jar is of the size normally referred to as a child’s water jar.  This is not meant to indicate that a child made it but is meant to indicate that it is a size that a child would experiment walking with it on her head.

This historic jar has a double rainbow arch on opposite sides, with one of the pair being deep red in color and the other deep orange.  This color combination is repeated on both pairs.  Under each rainbow are flowers and a bird.  Unlike most Acoma jars, the birds are not parrots, but birds of a different genus. Each bird has its feet attached to one of the flowers.  The more elaborate flower is behind each bird.

The Historic Acoma Pueblo Four-color Polychrome Child's Water Jar rim is fluted, which is symbolic of rain.  The sides of the jar, where the two pair of rainbow meet, display a single yellow flower.  There is scarcely an inch of space on the jar without decoration of some form.  It is a striking jar and its small size adds to its charm. The pigments are strong, dark and rich in tone.

The deep red pigment is evident on many late 1800s Acoma pottery vessels, but seems to have disappeared around circa 1900.  A contemporary Acoma potter told me that the source of the red clay was no longer known.  It is such strong colors that enhance these early jars.

Condition:  there is indication of professional restoration to some cracks which have been over-painted.  There is no evidence of filler material being used.  There is some loss of paint but not of a significant amount

Provenance: Adobe Gallery obtained this jar in 2013 from a California client, sold it to a Santa Fe resident within 10 days, and now have it back from our client who is contemplating a move from Santa Fe.

Recommended Reading: Acoma & Laguna Pottery by Rick Dillingham