Zia Pueblo Polychrome Pictorial Olla [SOLD]

The earliest documented examples of animals painted on pottery were those made by the Mimbres Indians of southern New Mexico in 1100. They painted a variety of animals on interiors of bowls. There was then a long lapse in time before they began to appear again. The earliest documented historic-period pottery with animals is after the 1870s.

At Zia Pueblo, which was more isolated in the 1870s than the Rio Grande Pueblos, potters were more involved in making pottery for their own use than for sale to outsiders. Pottery made for home use was not signed by the maker as that was not necessary. Pottery made by most potters at Zia was not signed in the early 20th century even when it was for sale.

Harlow and Lanmon worked tirelessly in attributing Zia pottery to specific potters and they had the assistance of Zia elders in doing so. They identified 40 Zia potters who were living and working in the 1900s. They estimated that they identified all but a dozen potters from that period.

Fortunately, this jar was signed in pencil Trinidad.  Based on the identifications by Harlow and Lanmon, an attribution to Trinidad Medina could also have been made for this jar based on the deer figurine and the specific elements of the birds on the jar. The style of the deer is almost identical to one on the jar pictured in Figure 14-70 of the Zia pottery book that is in the Thaw Collection.

Trinidad Medina is one name that arises most often when collectors discuss Zia pottery. She was one of the greatest potters of that pueblo and was recognized as such during her lifetime. She was taken on cross-country tours to demonstrate her craft at a number of venues and she won many prizes at Santa Fe Indian Market for her entries. Pottery made by her is cherished by collectors of historic pottery.

Condition:  UV examination reveals that there has been no repair or restoration of the vessel

Provenance: from the collection of a Colorado family.

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