Beige Acoma pot with various geometric shapes and patterns in brown and black, and a row of three identical animals in the center.
Beige Acoma pot with various geometric shapes and patterns in brown and black, and a row of three identical animals in the center.

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.

Unknown Artist;
Private Collection, Carlsbad, CA;
[Owings-Dewey Fine Art, Santa Fe, NM];
Jan T. and Marica Vilcek Collection, New York, NY, 2004-2019 (2004.04.01);

Related Objects

Acoma Jar with Abstract Bird Design

c. 20th century Unknown Artist
Acoma jar painted beige, rust orange, and black, with an abstract bird design.

Acoma Polychrome Jar

c. 1890 Unknown Artist
An Acoma jar decorated with a yellow bird and abstract geometric shapes and lines in black, white, and yellow.

Cochiti Polychrome Olla

1890-1900 Unknown Artist
A Cochiti olla with floral designs, waterbird pictorials, and a rust bottom.

Acoma Polychrome Olla

c. 1870 Unknown Artist
An Acoma polychrome olla decorated with birds and flora in black, browns, and rust.

Zia Polychrome Storage Jar

c. 1895 Unknown Artist
A Zia jar decorated with two bands of designs, including birds, flowers, plants, and geometric shapes.

Acoma Four Color Polychrome Jar

c. 1890 Unknown Artist
An Acoma jar decorated with black, beige, rust-brown, and red geometric patterns.

Zuni Polychrome Olla with Rain Bird Design

c. 1880 Unknown Artist
A Zuni olla with two bands of continuous black geometric patterns.

Cochiti Polychrome Storage Jar

c. 1870 Unknown Artist
A brown Cochiti jar painted with a black design including leaves, a plant, and four birds.

Santa Ana Polychrome Pottery Water Jar

c. 1780-1800 Unknown Artist
Santa Ana polychrome water jar featuring white slip with black and red painted decoration.

Powhogeh Polychrome Storage Jar

c. 1800 Unknown Artist
Powhogeh polychrome storage jar featuring white slip with black and red painted decoration.

You may also be interested in

Exhibition, March 18 - May 15, 2009

Ryo Toyonaga: Mephistophelean

Between 1995 and 2003, Japanese-born artist Ryo Toyonaga produced some 300 ceramic-based objects in his Red Kill Studio, a secluded cabin in the Catskill Mountains.