Posted 7 years ago
mtnclimber…
(44 items)
Listing Acoma, NM Large Owl....H: 9"; W 6.5"
My guess this is from the 1940's -50's, by the paint. Also guessing this attributable to Eva Histia (b. 1914) from owl facial V-shaped orange design in front, eyes, side wing pattern and the hole in the back of the owl. Similar to G Schaaf '2,000 Artist Bio' on top of page 152...
What do you think CRoad?
The orange V-shaped beak, style of eyes, and wing pattern is typical of the owls made by several Acoma potters, not just Eva Histia.
More important, I feel, is that every owl of hers that I've seen had feet, and none were painted with that little lined pattern around the owl's face. (And I happen to collect Acoma and Zuni pottery owls.)
Potter's tend to settle on a particular style when making things like owls, and usually don't deviate too much once they've found something that sells well. So I'd be skeptical about attributing it to her. Especially since she was one of the early Acoma potters to sign with (first) her initials, and then her full name.
The pitting on this piece is characteristic of what happened in the 1960s, when the clay Acoma potters used became contaminated, causing spalling and popouts that often didn't appear until long after the pots were sold.
Always learn something CRoad...About the 1960's clay, good 'marker' for identifying age. Not surprised about mto identify artist w/o signature...
thanks again...