Zia Pueblo Storage Jar with Birds and Rainbow Arcs by Seferina Bell

Boldly colored, finely painted, and broad shouldered, this is truly an archetypal Zia Pueblo jar, made by one of the greatest Zia potters of the mid-twentieth century, Seferina Bell. It is a jar to behold, and one in which the viewer can get lost in the design and beauty. The size is indicative of it being a storage jar, but for a storage jar it's one of a fairly modest size.

This pot was made with an elegant and graceful motif arrangement by Bell, featuring classic Zia birds, polished rainbow arcs above the birds, and capped feathers above triangular support figures. The rainbow arcs are outlined with black, humped designs, and this pattern can also be seen around the rim of the jar. Next to the birds on either side there is another design, which presumably could be rain clouds.

Pueblo pottery birds come in many incarnations, with meanings ranging from physical strength in battle to prosperity, wisdom and courage. Pueblo potters and their ancestors have been integrating bird motifs in beautiful and respectful ways in their work for over 1,000 years, and each style is unique in its own way. Serefina Bell's birds commonly have two tail feathers, with their legs bent at around a 45 degree angle, and the head tilted upward toward the sky. This style of bird, made specifically by Bell, is seen both on this jar and at the end of Chapter 1 of "The Pottery of Zia Pueblo" by Francis H. Harlow and Dwight P. Lanmon.

As stated, the body of this jar indicates that it is a storage jar by nature. While certainly on the smaller end for a storage jar, it is larger than an olla and contains big, protruding shoulders and a sloping neck. It is thick walled, which is typical for a piece from Zia Pueblo.

The color of the jar is brilliant, and contains traditional deep reddish-orange and black, set over a cream slip. The orange is especially robust, starting at the base of the jar. This then opens up into the slip, which is covered with the design patterns painted by Bell. The birds and rainbow arcs are orange with black outlines, while some of the other designs and lines around the piece are painted black. While these colors are often seen on pueblo pottery, the way in which they are incorporated here is particularly masterful.

On the bottom of the jar, it is signed with Bell's hallmark, a bell motif. Underneath the bell it says Zia Pueblo. Undoubtedly, this is a profound piece which speaks volumes about the artist and her tremendous skill and vision.

Seferina Bell, from Zia Pueblo, was born in 1920 and could have been an accomplished potter by the end of the 1930s at an age of 20 years. She apparently started signing her pottery in the 1940s. Bell is recognized as one of the finest Zia potters of the mid-20th century. She made beautiful ollas, bowls and unique canteens, all with incredibly graceful shape. Seferina Bell's pottery-making techniques are highly refined but perhaps best of all, she was an excellent painter. Her talent is especially seen in her delicate details. She was the daughter of Joe Pino and Ascension Galvan Pino; sister of Katherine Pino, Laura Pino, Tomasita Pino, and Filamino Pino; mother of Ruby Panana, Eleanor Griego, and Reyes Pino.

Condition: overall good condition with moderate patina

Provenance: this Zia Pueblo Storage Jar with Birds and Rainbow Arcs by Seferina Bell is from the collection of a client of Adobe Gallery

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

TAGS: Zia Pueblo, Katherine Pino, Ruby Panana, Southwest Indian Pottery, Seferina Bell