Zia Pueblo Child Size Olla, circa 1900 [SOLD]

Animal, and sometimes human figures, appeared on Zia pottery as early as 1820 but the style of bird on this jar, with a feather crown, did not appear until around 1860.  Animals, such as these deer on this jar, did not appear before 1870.  Although one might expect a Zuni influence on the use of deer on Zia pottery, the Zia deer do not feature the traditional heartline of Zuni deer.  The combination of deer and birds on the same jar is unusual but not unheard of. 

There is a wide red band wiped on the lower vessel below the design area.  That, and the stems of flowers with berries, is consistent with a date of circa 1900.  The rim was painted black and a one-inch red band was painted on the interior of the rim.  One side of the jar contains much defined design elements while the other side of the jar shows abrasion of the bird design element.  Abrasion such as this is a good indication of significant use of the jar, probably as a water container. 

We owe a debt of gratitude to Frank Harlow and Dwight Lanmon for their comprehensive research on Zia Pueblo pottery.  Their book, referenced here, is a valuable source of information for all of us involved with historic pueblo pottery.  It provides, among other things, information that makes it easier to place an object in the correct time period.