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| 006 Acoma Pueblo, c. 1910 |
 Pueblo Indians are masters at the skillful blending of outside influences into the traditional and individualistic patterns of each village. Each new element of religion, architecture, design, and ceremony, once assimilated, enhances the village strength and power all that much more. This superb jar exhibits the point especially well. Likely made shortly after 1900, this jar shows the incorporation of designs from Zuni Pueblo, about fifty miles to the west, and the Hopi Indian villages in northeastern Arizona, over a hundred miles from Acoma. The deer, with white rump and arrowhead-tipped line from mouth to heart, is a Zuni Pueblo innovation especially popular at that village during the decades from 1860 to 1900. More stylized are the four bird-headed figures sprouting from the corners of each deer dwelling. These spiral-ended figures have crosshatchured bodies and heads with diamond eyes, showing much Hopi Indian feeling in their appearance and placement. On close examination the head is seen to consist of a very stylized bird feather. Hopi influence is also seen in the plant growing by the front feet of each deer. The overall pattern is highly complex, enlivened by sparse touches of red and held together in coherent unity by the curves and structure of overall vessel form.
-- FRANCIS H. HARLOW, LOS ALAMOS |
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