This is a complex large seedpot 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. Robert said it was one of his larger seedpots and he painted the design from the rim to the base.  It is a series of interlocking butterflies.  Each butterfly is made up of four oval wings.  The butterflies start small and get larger around the shoulder and smaller at the base.  They are each separated by a lightning pattern with sections in red and orange clays.  While it may seem a simple design, think about the complexity of the interconnected design on a very round surface.  No wonder Robert said it took him almost two weeks to paint the entire design and keep the symmetry.  The addition of the two colors of clay added to the overall dynamic and vibrant appearance of the piece.  The jar was painted with bee-weed (black) and clay slips.  The last photo is what the piece looked like before it was fired.  The flow of design from top to bottom is stunning!  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