Acoma Terra-cotta seed pot artist help

Hi all. i am hoping someone might know this artist with initials KS
this little 6" seed pot is black on terracotta carved with a gloss finish. 18 different symbols all beautifully carved. Any and all information is appreciated as always.
Mikey

 

Symbols? Turtles!

 

I called them symbols but they are all turtles with a different carving on each one.

 

@Taupou?

 

I am not familiar with any Acoma potters who sign KS, or have those initials.

All I can add is that this decorating process is usually referred to as "sgraffito," and not all Acoma potters do it. It's not a traditional way of decorating Acoma pots, but one that has been adopted primarily for the tourist trade.

Although the process is exacting and time-consuming, the pots themselves are often purchased greenware (it's possible this one is, since that might be a mold mark across the bottom, going through the "o" in "Acoma") which is usually avoided by serious collectors. So unless someone sees this and recognizes the work or signature, it might be difficult to determine who KS is.

 

Just for clarification, I can add that greenware refers to commercially made blanks that have been minimally fired (if at all). Typically made using molds, they are an inexpensive substitute for the traditional hand coiled pottery. The mold lines may still be visible on the outside of the pot or, in the case of a seed pot, you may be able to run your finger around inside of the opening to see if you can feel a raised line.

 

Thank you as always for your information Taupou.
I'm hoping it's not another mistake purchase. thinking ill at least get me $3.00 back. lol

 

Hi Mike,
At 3 bucks it is still a bargain. Not a great BARGAIN but still a nice find. Turtle decorated pots always bring more than others for some reason.
greg

 

Thanks greg,
Ill be happy with $1.00 a turtle lol

 

Yes, it looks like a modern artist. The shape looks too perfect to be hand-formed. An easy test is to place a finger in the seed hole and feel the inner surface. Cast items are smooth inside. Hand formed pots will have more irregularities and surface texture. Traditional Acoma pottery is usually on a white base, with black painted line work, often more geometric. With smaller areas of infill of red to yellow color. Most often with just one terracotta orange-red color, but some beautiful old ones with 5 colors, white, black, yellow, orange and dark red.
This pot is by someone borrowing imagery from other Native American traditions with turtle, bear and kokopeli. Nothing wrong with that, but it represents more than Acoma tradition. This pot took some time to do, paint the pot black, then scratch out the design. Better than average tourist souvenir. It is the kind you see at gift shops and not at established gallery venues. Often budding artists would bring their work to the huge Albuquerque Flea Market and I would expect one like this to have been asking $20-$50. You are paying for their decorative skills, not their pottery skills.