This is a charming smaller jar 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. It has a classic Acoma water jar shape with a high shoulder and short neck.  The jar is painted with four heartline deer.   This imagery is a classic to both Acoma and Zuni pottery, with the heartline signifying the center, spirit or, “heart” of the animal.  Each deer has a heartline highlighted with orange clay.  Separating them are plant and raincloud patterns. Robert used red clay for the interior rim and as part of the plants.  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”.