Florence Aragon was one of the great traditional Acoma potters.  This water jar is indicative of the influence of her pottery and the continuation of traditional designs and forms. The jar is from 1991.  It is coil-built and painted with bee-weed (black) and red clay slip.  The shape is a classic water jar or “olla”. The high shoulder and sloping short neck are part of this form. The jar has tightly painted rain and cloud designs.  Note the fine-lines in the imagery.  The bottom of the jar is indented in the traditional manner when the pots were made to be worn on the head to carry water!  The jar is signed on the bottom, “F. Aragon”.  It is in excellent condition with no chips, cracks, restoration, or repair.

Brand

Aragon, Florence (1929-2010)

Florence Aragon (1929-2010) was the daughter of noted potter Lupe Aragon and the sister of Rachel Aragon. She was also the mother of John Aragon. She learned to make pottery from her mother. She was known for her use of traditional shapes and designs on her pottery, winning awards at the New Mexico State Fair and Gallup Ceremonials.