Zia Pueblo Historic Polychrome Jar with Rainbow Arcs

This Zia Pueblo polychrome water jar exhibits classic features of historic Puebloan ceramics from the 1910 era: 

• A classic concave base, wide mid-body bulge (typical of c. 1900 jars), and a slightly necked rim. 

• A rich red slip base extending upwards to the lower framing line. 

• A mid-body framed by bold, interlocking red arcs outlined in black paint, typical of jars from the early 1900s. These rainbow arcs are related to jars from 1880-1910. "The ancestor of the rainbow arc appears to lie in the black-edged-red path lines that have been important to Pueblo decoration since the 1300s." [Harlow & Lanmon 2003:113]

•  Framed compartments of geometric patterns, including stepped/feathered split-triangles, leaf-like elements, and cross-hatched to infill. 

Positioned near the neck within the upward arc apex is a red circular dot flanked by dark cloud/arch motifs — a traditional motif representing rain clouds, life, or seed elements common in Zia iconography. The piece shows an aged cream-to-buff slip with natural surface wear, faint fire marks, and subtle patination consistent with historic utilitarian handling and storage. The solid black oblique rectangles on the shoulder are related to jars of c.1910.

Condition: very good condition

Provenance: this Zia Pueblo Historic Polychrome Jar with Rainbow Arcs is from the collection of a client from Arizona

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

TAGS: James Stevenson, Zia Pueblo, Pueblo Pottery, Matilda Coxe Stevenson, Historic Pottery