Acoma Polychrome Jar

with concave base, low flaring walls and wide opening, painted in two shades of brown, tan and burnished orange against a cream slip, with concentric rectangles flanked by abstract avian motifs, possibly representing a turkey with splayed tail feathers, comprising scrolls and tapering ovals with radiant projections in alternating colors.  

Reportedly sold Butterfield's, San Francisco, late 1980s or early 1990s

Acquired from Christopher Selser, Santa Fe, NM in 1996

School Arts Magazine, vol. 43, no. 3 (Nov. 1941)

Lanmon and Harlow, 2013, The Pottery of Acoma Pueblo, fig. 17.57

Dark, heavy patination in some areas as evidenced in the catalogue illustration; otherwise mint condition.
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

This jar was published in School Arts Magazine along with two other jars with related decoration and an Acoma parrot jar, two of which are in the School for Advanced Research in Santa Fe, NM. A related jar was collected for the BAE (Smithsonian Institution, Dept. of Anthropology) in 1884 by James Stevenson (no.109973).