This is a striking use of classic designs by Robert Patricio.  He is known for his classic forms and use of both traditional and pre-historic imagery.  This jar is coil-built and thin-walled. The design has a modified version of Acoma bird wing patterns.  The wings extends upwards and downwards from the diamond shapes.  On this jar, they are painted with both fine-lines and dark red clay.  The jar uses the white of the clay to create a more visually dramatic appearance.  The jar is an elegant and classic Acoma shape with a high shoulder and a sloping neck. The flow of the design on the wide shape of the jar gives it both an ancient and yet modern appearance.  Robert is certainly one of the leading traditional Acoma potters working today which is evidenced by his stunning forms and complementary designs.  The jar is signed on the bottom, “R. M. Patricio”.

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