Historic Zia Polychrome OLLA with Deer and Geometric Designs [SOLD]

This polychrome OLLA, or pottery water jar, was made by Trinidad Gachupin Medina of Zia Pueblo. Adobe Gallery is fortunate to have handled a number of Medina's works over the years, and we can say with certainty that they are some of the finest Zia pots of the early-to-mid 1900s era.

Multiple examples of Medina's work appear in Lanmon and Harlow's The Pottery of Zia Pueblo. An olla pictured on page 230 features painted deer and plants that are nearly identical to those that appear on this olla. The olla in the book is unsigned, but it was attributed to Medina by Zia Pueblo elders. Lanmon and Harlow date it to 1930-1935. Due to the striking similarity of design and the general look and feel of the exterior, we believe that our featured olla dates to the same period or perhaps slightly earlier. The details and history will likely remain unknown, but we are grateful to have some sort of published point of reference for this potter's works.

Medina did an excellent job forming and painting this olla. Its shape is typical, with a gently curved shoulder and an upturned rim. The primary design element is the deer, which appears three times around the olla's exterior. After seeing a few published examples and looking back at our previously listed pieces, we see a distinctive visual character in Medina's deer figures. They're a bit more lifelike than the sort of animal figure that usually appears on a pueblo pot, and they often occupy a larger space than the typical example would. Both of those characteristics are visible here, and they contribute much to the olla's powerful visual impact.

Plant designs appear above and below each deer, hanging nearly horizontally. Geometric elements and step patterns appear in the areas between each repetition of the deer, creating a larger repeating pattern that circles the olla's exterior. While it's not too far from tradition, the coloration of this olla deserves note. The slip is a touch closer to white, the red is unusually bright, and what's usually black appears here as more of a wispy gray. These tones work beautifully together, forming a gorgeous palette that enhances and enlivens the visual impression of the olla.

The base is signed Trinidad Medina, Zia Pueblo. The signature is in cursive pencil and it is not known whether it was signed by the artist or a collector. The olla leans slightly to one side, but that has been corrected by the addition of two small adhesive pads, which also protect the signature.

Pottery made by Trinidad Gachupin Medina (1883/1884-1969) SRA'EITI' is cherished by collectors of historic 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 several venues, and she won many prizes at Santa Fe Indian Market for her entries. Her sisters were Geronima Gachupin Medina and Reyes Gachupin Moquino/Pino; wife of José de la Cruz Medina; mother of San Junanito Medina; grandmother of Rafael Medina, José de La Cruz Medina, Anita Candelaria, Lena Medina, Carolina Medina, Ernest Medina, Patrick Medina, and Priscilla Medina.

"Trinidad Medina was a diminutive person, standing just over 4 feet tall according to grandchildren and others who knew her. Nonetheless, she made some of the largest storage jars ever produced at Zia. They are also considered to be some of the finest. She received prizes and widespread recognition for her work, in part because the trader Wick Miller took her on road tours around the United States between 1930 and 1946. She demonstrated pottery making at the Century of Progress Exposition in Chicago in 1933 and possibly also at the San Francisco Golden Gate International Exhibition in 1939, where at least one of her large storage jars was shown." (Harlow & Lanmon, 2003:285)

Condition: excellent condition, some wear from handling and a thin horizontal line of minor slip loss at the top of the shoulder. No restoration or repair.

Provenance: this Historic Zia Polychrome OLLA with Deer and Geometric Designs is from a private collection

Reference: Harlow, Francis H., and Dwight P. Lanmon. The Pottery of Zia Pueblo SAR Press, Santa Fe, 2003.

TAGS: Reyes Gachupin Moquino/Pino, Rafael Medina, José del La Cruz Medina, Zia Pueblo, Historic Pueblo Pottery, Sofia Medina, Elizabeth Medina, Marcellus Medina, Trinidad Gachupin Medina