Acoma Pueblo Polychrome Pottery Bowl

Donley Auctions
Nov 12
2 min read

🏺 Echoes of the Sky: The Masterful Polychrome Artistry of a 1920s Acoma Pueblo Bowl

For generations, the potters of Acoma Pueblo—Sky City—have transformed the earth beneath their ancient mesa home into vessels of breathtaking beauty and profound cultural meaning. Their pottery is celebrated globally for its feather-light construction, dazzling white slip, and mathematically precise geometric painting.

This November 22nd, our Cowboys & Indians Auction offers a superlative piece of that living tradition: Lot #1051, a Historic Acoma Pueblo Polychrome Pottery Bowl, dated to the highly collectible period of circa 1925-1926.

The Signature of an Acoma Master

This beautiful globular jar or bowl is a powerful demonstration of the artistry flourishing at Acoma in the early 20th century. Its artistic precision and balanced design point directly to the hands of a master potter:

The Palette (Polychrome): The bowl utilizes the signature Acoma polychrome (multi-color) style: a bright white/cream slip providing the brilliant background, accented by rich black mineral paint and a distinctive, earthy reddish-orange or rust color.
The Motifs: The design schema is complex and symbolic, utilizing traditional motifs that often relate to water, rain, and life itself. Look closely for:
- Intricate Hatching: Fine cross-hatching near the rim and neck, a classic Acoma element.
- Whirling Spirals: Bold designs that suggest movement, perhaps symbolizing the vital elements of wind or water.
- Avian & Insect Designs: Prominent, highly stylized forms, including a striking butterfly-like element, which often represents summer and fertility.
Technique: The un-slipped, terracotta-colored clay base and the evident hand-coiling technique—where the potter builds the form upward with rolls of clay—confirm its genuine, traditional Acoma production.

A Century of History in Clay

Pottery-making at Acoma is a centuries-old tradition, often passed down matrilineally. By the 1920s, Acoma potters were refining their designs to meet the growing demand from tourists and collectors while retaining the sacred integrity of their forms and symbols. Pieces from this era represent a dynamic bridge between traditional use and modern recognition.

Standing 5 inches tall with a 7-inch diameter, this bowl is in good, vintage condition. Its minor pigment loss and scuffs are the expected, honorable signs of nearly a century of life. This is not just a collectible; it is a tangible piece of the cultural and artistic heritage of the American Southwest.