Massive 16th C. Acoma Pueblo Pottery Olla

Native American, southwestern United States, New Mexico, Acoma Pueblo or Zuni, ca. 16th to 17th century CE. This is a massive plainware pottery storage jar or olla vessel with a broad neck and deep interior, all in superb condition. The jar rests on a rounded base, likely for burying slightly in the ground to stay upright. The walls are slightly carinated near the base, then swell outward and up to a taper neck and flared rim. The vessel was formed by coiling and scraping to a smooth surface then fired, with nice dark firing cloud patterns across the plain surface. Large pottery vessels such as this were for utilitarian storage or cooking containers. Size: 18" Diameter x 19.6" H (45.7 cm x 49.8 cm); 23.1" H (58.7 cm) on included custom stand.

To create this vessel the coil and scrape method may have been used in conjunction with the technique involving the use of a wooden paddle and anvil to draw the walls upward. The "anvil" made of stone or wood is held inside the pot while a paddle beats the outer surface into shape against the anvil which allowed a very thin, but strong walls.

Provenance: private Reinsmoen collection, Clear Lake, Iowa, USA, acquired through descent from Robert Anderson, acquired prior to 2000

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#184954
Condition Report: Professionally repaired and restored with some painting over break lines; all done very well and only noticeable from interior. Areas of fire-darkening to surface likely from use, as well as light surface wear as shown. Otherwise, impressive presentation with nice form.