Zia Pueblo Large Polychrome Pictorial Olla [SOLD]

Sofia Pino married into the Medina family in 1948.  She and her new husband Rafael (1929-1998) lived with his grandmother, Trinidad Medina who taught Sofia the techniques of potting. Her mentor, Trinidad, was one of the most talented potters at Zia and Sofia learned well and produced quality wares throughout her life.  Sofia used all natural materials in her pottery, including the pigments for painting.  Her husband is known for using acrylic paints on pottery after firing.

Sofia used a tan slip on her jars and stone-polished it to a beautiful silky sheen.  The design is executed in a soft rose-red slip and brown mineral paint.  In this jar, there are four panels of Zia dancers—two panels feature single Antelope dancers and two panels feature a pair of unidentified dancers.  The jar is extra-large, larger than the standard water jars, and has fire clouds that attest to an outdoor firing. 

Condition:  the jar is structurally in excellent condition with only minor spalling of clay and a minor chip on the inner lip of the rim.

Provenance: from the collection of Katherine H. Rust

Recommended Reading: The Pottery of Zia Pueblo by Francis H. Harlow and Dwight P. Lanmon