RARE Laguna Pueblo Large Historic Four-color Polychrome Jar c.1890

This Laguna Pueblo large historic four-color polychrome jar, dating to around 1890, is a beautifully formed and finely painted example of late 19th-century pottery from this vibrant New Mexico pueblo. During this period, Laguna potters were producing vessels that blended traditional Acoma influences with their own developing styles. Pottery was typically made for household use but also began gaining attention among collectors and traders, particularly with the expansion of the railroad and increased non-Native interest in Pueblo arts.

This jar is painted in orange, red, and black over a white slip, with a rich red base that anchors the design. The form of this jar has a pronounced terrace just above the shoulder that creates visual interest and subtly breaks up the overall surface. A neck rises from the terrace and tapers into a slightly curled lip, with the interior lip also painted — an added detail that speaks to the potter's attention and care.

The decoration is arranged in three distinct tiers: one at the neck and two on the body, each featuring alternating motifs that showcase the potter's precision and artistic imagination. The bold patterns and rhythm of the design reflect the evolving aesthetics of Laguna pottery during this era. The painting is exceptionally well executed, with crisp lines and confident brushwork throughout.

This jar not only serves as an example of the skill and creativity of Laguna Pueblo artists in the late 1800s, but also as a reflection of a time when Pueblo potters were asserting their cultural identity through form and design, even as their communities navigated profound external changes.

Condition: Very good condition with a hairline crack running from rim to base. It has been professionally stabilized and concealed on the exterior, while intentionally left visible on the interior.

Provenance: This RARE Laguna Pueblo Large Historic Four-color Polychrome Jar c.1890 is from the collection of a client of Adobe Gallery.

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