Zia Pueblo Double Rainbow Polychrome Olla [R]

What a fascinating history with this Zia jar made by Juana Lupita Toribio Pino (ca.1890-1987) Ts’iyasgits’a. It appears to be relatively new but it is not.  It was purchased on August 18, 1939 at the Gallup Inter-tribal Indian Ceremonial for $2.00 where it had won first prize.  It was also exhibited at the New Mexico State Fair in Albuquerque.  It is published in Harlow and Lanmon in Figure 14.87 on page 296.  Lastly, it came from the Richard M. Howard collection.

There are birds of two styles on the jar.  The birds under the double rainbow have a single wing and the birds on top of the double rainbow have double wings.  Two opposing birds have open beaks and the other two have closed beaks.  The potter included ceremonial line breaks in the black lines outlining the rainbow bands and in the double framing lines at the base of the decoration.  The tail feathers of the birds with a single wing are squared off and the other birds have rounded tail feathers. 

It is not often that a jar from 1939 has such history and also rare for one of that age to be in such marvelous condition. 

Condition: excellent condition

Provenance: from the collection of Richard M. Howard, former Santa Fe dealer and collector

Recommended Reading: The Pottery of Zia Pueblo by Harlow and Lanmon