Zia Pueblo Polychrome Square Pottery Tile

Artistry Amidst Adversity: A Zia Pueblo Potter’s Tale from the 1940s

This pottery tile, the work of an anonymous Zia Pueblo potter, made no later than 1940, is a testament to the artistry of the era. The tile’s edges are painted with a rich brown pigment, and a slender black line frames the interior, lending depth and contrast to the piece.

The tile’s focal point is a Zia bird, rendered in a poised stance that captivates the viewer’s attention. To accentuate the bird, the potter filled each tile corner with a triangle of red clay slip. The interior is lined with circular brown forms, bisected at their centers, adding a unique aesthetic appeal.

In the wake of World War II, amidst the burgeoning tourist market, potters across New Mexico’s pueblos pivoted to crafting smaller items for sale. Despite the tourist market emerging as a significant income source for many potters, the traditional uses of pottery within the pueblos persevered. The Zia people, in a tribute to their heritage, have steadfastly continued to create pottery for everyday household use and tribal functions.

Condition: structurally very good condition with some abrasions to the brown pigment and yellow slip.

Provenance: this Zia Pueblo Polychrome Square Pottery Tile is from the estate of a former gallery client

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