Zia Pueblo Historic Polychrome Water Canteen [SOLD]

This is an exquisite small water canteen from Zia Pueblo, created most probably in the first quarter of the twentieth century. This fine piece was coil-formed with local clay with the addition of crushed basaltic temper. The underbody was stone-polished red-slipped paste in a warm brick red color. Zia Pueblo cream slip mellows out to a darker shade over time and is a good indicator of the age of a vessel. It additionally provides a warm glow sharply enhancing the feeling of the overall vessel.

There are back-to-back polished red stepped designs outlined in black on the upper body face. Below is a series of connected lazy S elements floating on a black background. Below this band of design we see a pair of back-to-back cream oval sections, each with a black triangle in one corner and polished red slip stepped element in the opposite corner. The canteen has a charming personality because of its small size and warm patina.

Water-carrying canteens have been made by the pueblo people for several hundred years, long before the arrival of Europeans. Interestingly enough, the shape of canteens has changed very little in this time. Apparently, the users were quite satisfied with the vessel shape as it was.

Condition: very good condition

Provenance: this Zia Pueblo Historic Polychrome Water Canteen is from the collection of a resident of New Mexico

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

TAGS: Southwest Indian Pottery, Zia Pueblo, Historic Pottery