This is a large classic high shoulder Acoma water jar by Robert Patricio. This jar has a high shoulder and a short neck.  The shape is on that is seen on older Acoma pottery. The design for this piece was somewhat inspired by a historic Acoma jar (see last photo). This jar has plants around the neck and vase. There are two bands of checkerboard cloud patterns encircling the entire jar, separated by a band of tan-colored clay.  The jar has distinctive Acoma birds above and below the clouds. Robert said that there are small birds at Acoma that have white spots on them, but he made them red for the visual contrast. Each bird is painted next to a plant and flower.  The jar is wonderfully complex in design and color.  There are two different colors of clay along with the white slip and black-bee-weed to paint the designs. The base is painted with red clay and it is indented, much like the historic utilitarian Acoma jar where they were worn on the head to gather water.  It is signed on the bottom, “R.  M.  Patricio”.  The jar is a striking extension of his artistry in clay and continuing the amazing Acoma legacy. 

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