Patricio, Robert – Four Color Jar with Heartline Deer and Sunflower Design

9.25"w x 9"h

$ 1,400.00

This is a spectacular four-color painted water jar by Robert Patricio.  It is a classic water jar shape with a wide shoulder and short neck. However, it is the design work, detail, and color that make it dynamic.  The jar was inspired by a large Acoma jar from the late 1800s. On this piece, it is not just the deer, but the “sunflower” or “sun” design which is so recognizable.  The two deer are painted in a large format and below them are large plant designs in tan.  Separating the deer are large sections of plant designs. The teardrop-shaped hatchwork designs are a design seen on older Acoma pottery, which then inspired work at San Ildefonso, like that of Tonita Roybal. The intricate hatchwork design here is attached to a central medallion with more cloud and rain motifs.  There are additional plant designs.  There is a lot of imagery for the size of the jar and yet it flows across the surface and allows the white space to handle and separate the various designs.  The jar is made from traditional Acoma clay and then painted with bee-weed (black) and two different red clay slips. The base is red clay.  It is signed on the bottom, “R.  M.  Patricio”.  The jar is an exciting extension of his artistry in clay and continuing the amazing Acoma legacy.  The last photo is of the jar before it was fired. 

Robert said recently of his pottery:

““The pottery inspires me to keep going.  Keeping the tradition alive in making pottery, that’s how we were brought up.  Our ancestors started making pottery.  It’s amazing what comes of a piece of clay. When you come to Acoma it’s peacuful and quite.  When you look a piece of pottery, you see the same peacefulness.”   Robert Patricio, 2020