About the Object

This four-color Acoma polychrome jar features white slip with black, red, and orange painted decoration. The focal points of this multi-paneled jar are the large circular design panels that decorate two sides of this water jar. Within each circular pattern is a band of three birds, and each red bird had a billowing tail, a round body, and a linear nose. Above and below the band of birds are clouds, crosshatchings, and other rain designs that may signify that the birds are specifically parrots.

Additional Information

The medallion-like motifs illustrate the important role of cross-Pueblo influences on Pueblo pottery designs. Timothy Edaakie (Zuni Pueblo), 2019 Native American Artist Fellow at the School for Advanced Research, spoke of the large circular panel resembling the classic Zuni pattern of “Deer in the House.” It is common to find similar ornamentation between Pueblo communities, such as Acoma and Zuni Pueblo, because of their historic relationships and close proximity.