Zia Pueblo Historic Pottery Tile

Zia Pueblo's Legacy: A 1930s Pottery Tile with Timeless Elegance

This exquisite pottery tile is the work of an unidentified Zia Pueblo potter. Judging by its appearance and texture, it is estimated to have been crafted in the early 1930s.

The tile was designed for display and sale as a piece of art. Despite its age, it has developed a beautiful patina, reminiscent of the one found on utilitarian ollas and dough bowls from the late 1800s and early 1900s. This characteristic will undoubtedly be appreciated by those who value the aesthetic of well-used historic vessels.

The tile is substantial and well-crafted. Its design features a Zia bird, skillfully painted, and encircled by black clouds. The color scheme is a classic Zia palette, employing a simple combination of red and black over a cream slip. The Zia bird's beak, wing, and feet extend nearly to the tile's rim, while its tail feathers stretch beyond the tile.

For easy wall display, two holes are located near the upper edge of the tile.

Tiles were not only produced by Zia potters but also by potters from many other pueblos. In the 1940s, Harviana Toribio and Vicentita Pino were primarily responsible for their creation at Zia. A set of tiles, intended to surround a fireplace, was sent to the Bureau of Indian Affairs in Washington, D.C. However, it remains unknown whether they were ever installed, and their current whereabouts are yet to be determined [Harlow & Lanmon, 2003:313].

Condition: very good condition with a dark patina.

Provenance: this Zia Pueblo Historic Pottery Tile is from the collection of a former client of Adobe Gallery

Reference and Recommended Reading: The Pottery of Zia Pueblo by Francis H. Harlow & Dwight P. Lanmon, SAR Press, Santa Fe, 2003.

TAGS: Southwest Indian Pottery, Zia Pueblo, Historic Pottery