This is a classically designed water jar by Robert Patricio.  This jar with a high shoulder and a short neck.  The jar is painted with bee-weed and different clay slips.  The jar is one of my favorite designs as it is not just complicated but one that has such great historic impact.  The body of the jar has sun designs.  The neck has flowers along with rain and mountain designs.  The sun designs are highlighted with hatchure lines.  It is this design that was seen on a lot of Acoma pottery from the late 1800s and was used by Tonita Roybal on her pottery in the 1920s. The jar is simply stunning in design, and it perfectly matches the shape of the jar.   All coloration and the unique form give this jar an impressive appearance.  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