Lucy Lewis Small Polychrome Pot with Geometric Designs [SOLD]

This polychrome pot was made by Lucy Lewis, the influential Acoma Pueblo matriarch. Lewis made many small pots like this one during her long career, but each one is unique in some notable way. With this piece, the strength of the orange pigments stands out. The vessel itself was formed beautifully, which is to be expected of Lewis' work.

Rather than using small, intricate designs, she enlarged a single combination of elements and repeated it within four squares around the exterior. The strength of the design suits that of the pigments' coloration, and the end result is an immensely appealing pot.

The bottom of the jar is signed Lucy M. Lewis, Acoma.

Lucy Lewis (1898-1992) was one of the most widely respected potters from Acoma Pueblo. Lewis followed pueblo tradition in every step of pottery production—offering prayers of thanks to Mother Earth for the clay, taking only as much clay as she needed, working the clay with only her hands, forming the vessel from coils of clay, scraping the walls with tools fashioned from gourds, painting the vessel with slips and paints made from clay and vegetal sources and, finally, firing the finished pieces in a handmade outdoor kiln. Lewis was born around 1898 and passed away on March 12, 1992. She spent nearly all her life atop the high mesa of Acoma Pueblo, making pottery from the age of 8. She is largely responsible for the revival of Mimbres Black-on-white pottery designs, which are more than 1,000 years old. She was famous, as well, for her exquisite polychrome designs and her fine line and lightning designs.

Condition: excellent condition

Provenance: this Lucy Lewis Small Polychrome Pot with Geometric Designs is from the collection of a family in Albuquerque, purchased directly from the artist at Santa Fe Indian Market in 1990

Recommended Reading: LUCY M. LEWIS American Indian Potter by Susan Peterson

TAGS: Acoma Pueblo, Pueblo Pottery, Lucy Lewis