Posted 5 years ago
Tiggywinkl…
(2 items)
I picked this up off my local Craigslist. I remeber hearing the name Keene associated with a known potter on one of the mesas, but I can't find anything comprable. It is about 9 inches across, maybe 6 inches tall, the opening is just big enough for a single finger, and unpainted red clay inside. I only paid $5. Did I buy a gem or junk? Bobbie
There are at least 8 or 9 Acoma potters with the last name Keene. Adrienne Keene is probably the best known, but she signs her whole name, and makes traditional, corregated, and miniature pieces primarily, so this is another Keene.
This piece is hand-painted, but the indented bottom of the pot itself shows that this is commercially-produced greenware, made from a mold, not a traditional piece. Acoma potters themselves make a distinction between the two types, which they refer to as "pottery" (traditional) and "ceramic" (painted greenware made from molds.)
So the value is primarily in the quality of the painting, not in the pot, and would therefore be more decorative than collectible. Meaning it's not junk, but not the gem it might be if it were all hand-made.
Thank you, CanyonRoad. So it may not be a hidden gem, but it's still well worth my expenditure of $5. I love looking at it, and it looks great on my mantle, so I'm counting as a good buy!