Zia Pueblo Group of 10 Ceramic Buttons [SOLD]

The potters at Zia Pueblo have long been recognized as the best potters in the region. Their sturdy, beautifully decorated pots and bowls have been in demand for hundreds of years. The discovery of Zia pottery in abandoned Jemez sites suggests that Zia potters were trading their wares to their neighbors before the Spanish arrived.

By the late 1800s, Zia women were exchanging pottery with the nearby traders for food, and other goods or money. After the influenza epidemic in the early 20th century, there were less than 200 people living at the pueblo. Some say the ability of Zia women to make fine pots for trade made it possible for the pueblo to survive the hard times.

By the turn of the century, Zia potters had joined their Navajo and Pueblo neighbors in producing items to sell to tourists. These items were generally smaller and were easy for the tourist to carry home.

In the early 1940s there was a metal shortage due to World War II. Zia potters used this as an opportunity to make ceramic buttons. These buttons were made of traditional Zia clay and decorated with Zia designs.

We are fortunate to have an entire collection of 10 of these buttons. They are one of the most interesting items we have seen in a long time. They are truly a perfect example of the ability of the Southwestern Indian to adapt to changing markets and materials.

Each of the buttons is fitted with two sewing holes. Very early Zia buttons had four holes, but later ones had only two. Each button has been coated with shellac. This was done to protect the design over years of use. Four of the buttons have the same bird design, three others have matching bird designs, and the final three have matching birds of a completely different style.

Condition:  All the buttons are in excellent condition.

Provenance: from a gentleman in Colorado

Recommended Reading: The Pottery of Zia Pueblo by Harlow and Lanmon.  This book is currently not available from Adobe Gallery