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Acoma
Pueblo Pot
(FCHP246)
1925-1950
Acoma was located on an incredible mesa to prevent attacks from enemies.
Because of its location, "Ako" is called the Sky Village. The people are
Keres Indians. Acoma pottery is noted for its qualities of being
exceptionally thin, hard-fired, and light-weight. The clay is ground
first to a fine powder, then soaked in water and mixed with crushed
potsherds. The white slip is a variety of kaolin clay, used elsewhere
for making porcelain. The kaolin grabs the paints added to the surface.
The beautiful reds are of either ground sandstone or red ochre. The
black is a mixture of powdered black hematite (mineral) and guaco, an
organic or carbon-based paint that acts as a fixative. Guaco is made of
boiled, wild spinach, also called bee weed. This bird motif is a typical
Acoma design.
Height 15 inches
Illustrated in
Spirits in the Art, by James A.
Hanson, p-236
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