Zia Pueblo Jar with Miscellaneous Designs seen from 1860 to 1930

This vessel is an exceptional example of a historic Zia Pueblo Polychrome jar typically dating from the late 19th century to early 20th century. The jar exhibits a classic water jar (olla) shape, featuring a swelling shoulder, a graceful inward taper to a relatively short neck, and a slightly flared  rim.

The jar features a highly structured, multi-banded decoration scheme meticulously painted with black mineral pigment and red/orange slip over a creamy white background. Centered directly on the widest part of the shoulder is a continuous horizontal band, featuring a bold, alternating diagonal geometric pattern — often referred to as a split — leaf or feather chain motif-which perfectly bisects the upper and lower design fields.

Both the upper neck zone and the lower body zone utilize a striking, mirrored layout composed of repeating large diamonds in a chain link form, a form noted by Harlow and Lanmon in The Pottery of Zia Pueblo, as a design seen on pottery from 1860 to 1930, stating "illustrates, among other things, the wide-ranging freedom for exploration of new patterns and/or new arrangements of older patterns that commenced in the late 1800s". [Harlow & Lanmon, 2003:104]

Inside each of the primary diamond panels is a finely executed checkerboard pattern. The contrast between the solid black squares and the negative white space creates a vibrant, rhythmic visual movement around the vessel. Each of these large geometric fields is framed by heavy, double-lined borders filled with a traditional rich red/orange slip, a hallmark feature of historic Zia pottery. The geometric symmetry is beautifully maintained around the entire circumference of the jar, demonstrating the exceptional skill of the historic potter.

The lower portion of the jar transitions to a traditional red-slipped underbody. Distinct fire clouds (dark marks resulting from contact with burning fuel during the traditional open-air firing process) are prominently visible near the base.

Jars that are less than 10 inches in diameter and height are often referred to as "child's water jars". Historic child-sized water jars (ollas) from Zia Pueblo are incredibly special, highly sought ethnographic pieces. Dating primarily from the late 19th to early 20th century, these smaller vessels were specifically crafted for children or adolescents to participate in the vital daily chore of fetching and carrying water from the river or community source back to the pueblo home. Just like full-sized adult ollas, a true historic child's water jar features a concave bottom. This design element allowed the vessel to balance comfortably on a soft ring worn on top of the child's head, distributing the weight evenly while walking.  

For whatever reason this jar was made — for child training purposes, for marketing to the public, or for use in the pueblo home — it succeeded in being a beautiful and exquisite work of art. The design is bold and dramatic and succeeds in every analysis.

Condition: very good condition with no evidence of prior use

Provenance: this Zia Pueblo Jar with Miscellaneous Designs seen from 1860 to 1930 is from the collection of a client of Adobe Gallery

Reference: Harlow, Francis H. & Dwight P.Lanmon. The Pottery of Zia Pueblo, School of American Research Press, Santa Fe, 2003

TAGS: Zia Pueblo, Southwest Indian Pottery