Zia Pueblo Rectangular Polychrome Pottery Tile

Zia Pueblo's Legacy: The 1930s Black-Edged Pottery Tile

This tile, likely dating back to no later than 1930, was crafted by a potter from Zia Pueblo, whose name remains unknown. The tile's edges are painted black, and a thin black line frames the interior, just inside the edges. A Zia bird, depicted in an elegant stance, is positioned on the lower framing line. Above the bird, two pairs of rain clouds, rendered in red pigment, are depicted. Each corner of the tile features a pair of black clouds. To facilitate hanging, a pair of holes was incorporated at the top of the tile. A metal hanging frame, fabricated by a previous owner, remains attached but can be removed if desired.

Despite the emergence of the tourist market as a significant income source for many potters, the traditional uses of pottery within the pueblo have persisted. The Zia people continue to incorporate their pottery in daily household activities and tribal functions. Traditional meals feature dishes and vessels of various forms, jars are used for storing water and grains, dough bowls assist in bread-making, and ceremonial vessels are still produced by potters. [Harlow & Lanmon,2003:26]

Condition: very good condition with a dark patina.

Provenance: this Zia Pueblo Rectangular Polychrome 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