Jessie Garcia Acoma Pueblo Polychrome Turkey Figurine [SOLD]

Potters from Acoma, Zuni, Cochiti and Tesuque were prominent makers of figurines—owls, turkeys, rain gods, and other animals, birds and humans.  Cochiti potters seem to have been among the first to do so, as early as 1880, with Tesuque potters close behind.  Acoma and Zuni potters picked up the trend later but have never stopped making figurines.

This turkey figurine is very typical of the style seen from Acoma potters.  Much like owl figurines made by Acoma potters, the turkey sits on its bottom, devoid of legs.  The turkey is signed Jessie Garcia Acoma N.M.

Jessie Garcia was considered by Rick Dillingham (author of Acoma and Laguna Pottery - see link below) as one of the three most important 20th century potters from Acoma Pueblo, along with Lucy Lewis and Marie Z. Chino.  She was the mother of Anita Lowden and Stella Shutiva and the mother-in-law of Sarah Garcia, all three of whom are recognized as outstanding potters. In 1941, Museum of New Mexico director Kenneth Chapman donated a Jessie Garcia seed jar to the Indian Arts Fund.  The Indian Arts Fund purchased a Jessie Garcia bowl from Mrs. William J. Lippincott, and then, in 1966, the Fund made a direct purchase of a bowl from Jessie at Santa Fe's Indian Market. These acquisitions indicate the esteem that the Indian Arts Fund had for the work of this potter.

Condition: this Jessie Garcia Acoma Pueblo Polychrome Turkey Figurine is very good condition

Provenance: from a family collection from Albuquerque

Reference: Acoma & Laguna Pottery by Rick Dillingham