Historic Zia Pueblo Trios Polychrome Water Jar

Trios Polychrome pottery is distinguished by its striking design elements, which include spirals adorned with trefoil leaves, minimal use of red pigment, and triangular attachments to the spirals. Notably, the small black rectangle within the dark attached triangle has been identified as a bird's eye. Two distinct types of spiral attachments appear in this style — one featuring a bold black triangle with a bird's eye and a circle at its apex, and another with a smaller black triangle accented by tiny black triangles along its edges. The overall visual impact of Trios Polychrome is particularly bold due to the dominant use of intense black pigment. The absence of red further amplifies the strength of the black elements. Separating the neck and body designs is a pair of unusually wide framing lines, with the lower line featuring a ceremonial break. The lower third of the jar is finished in a smooth, stone-polished red slip.

Pottery typology designations, such as Trios Polychrome, were developed by scholars to categorize stylistic shifts observed over time. At Zia Pueblo, these classifications include Puname Polychrome (1700-1760), followed by San Pablo Polychrome (1760-1820), then Trios Polychrome (1820-1860), and finally, Zia Polychrome (1860-present). While these designations define broad production periods, potters did not necessarily adhere to them. For instance, an artisan working in 1855 — technically within the Trios Polychrome period — may have continued her established style until her passing in 1895. Even though her later work falls under the Zia Polychrome period according to scholars, she would have continued making pottery in the tradition she had learned. These typologies were established for research purposes and were not terms used by the potters themselves.

The origin of the term "Trios" in Historic Zia Pueblo Trios Polychrome is somewhat unclear. It is believed to stem from a misunderstanding or misspelling of the Spanish word "tríos," meaning "groups of three." Some scholars suggest this name was inspired by characteristic groupings of three design elements commonly found in this pottery style. However, there is no definitive explanation, and the name was assigned by early collectors and researchers rather than the Zia potters who created these works.

Condition: very good condition

Provenance: This Historic Zia Pueblo Trios Polychrome Water Jar is from a client of Adobe Gallery.

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

TAGS: Southwest Indian Pottery, Zia Pueblo, Historic Pottery