Patricio, Robert – Large Four Color Jar with Heartline Deer, Parrots, and Rainbows

11.5"w x 11"h

$ 2,200.00

This is a large old-style four-color painted water jar by Robert Patricio.  It is a classic Acoma water jar shape with a high shoulder and an elongated neck.  The design combines various traditional Acoma designs into one piece.  There are traditional heartline deer on two sides. This imagery is a classic to both Acoma and Zuni pottery, with the heartline signifying the center, spirit or, “heart” of the animal.  Surrounding each deer is a multi-color rainbow and next to the deer are multi-color flowers.  Separating the deer are large sections with Acoma parrots.  The parrots are surrounded by a swirling band of rain and cloud designs.  The use of the various colors is dynamic on this jar.  However, what makes these large images so striking is how Robert left a lot of open white space.  The white seems to intensify the dramatic coloration.  The jar is made from traditional Acoma clay and then painted with bee-weed (black) and two different red clay slips. The base is painted with 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. 

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