Special Value Offer: Zia Pueblo Historic Polychrome Olla, circa 1910 [SOLD]

Special Value Offer: We have been requested to offer this at a reduced price of 20% from the original price of $6500 to $5200.

Before the mid-1700s, potters at many New Mexico pueblos painted the rims of jars with a red slip, but then changed to black after that period.  The reason for this change is not clear as there was still ample red clay used on the interior of the rim as well as in the design of jars.  This jar appears to have had a red rim that overflowed from the interior neck but then was over-painted with black.

Potters at Zia Pueblo used, and still do, a cream-colored slip on the surface of the jar down to just a few inches from the bottom.  This slip is then stone polished to a smooth finish in preparation for applying the chosen design.  At the base of the cream slip, a red band is wiped on as a means of forming a clean line between the cream slip and the un-slipped lower body of the jar.

The red band on the lower portion of the jar has existed starting as early as the mid-1600s until around 1930.  Before 1900, the red band was rough and unpolished but this gradually changed over time so that by 1930 it was no longer in use.  Its boldness gradually faded away during that period.  This jar has a one-inch polished red band more typical of circa 1900 or a decade later.

The four-color design was applied on the full body of the cream-slipped area, all the way to the rim.  The mid body is highlighted by a wide black zigzag line framed by narrow black lines on which are pendant stepped elements filled with parallel black lines.  This effectively divides the upper polychrome design pattern from the lower polychrome design pattern.

The upper design around the neck of the jar consists of birds and floral elements.  The birds are painted yellow which is most unusual as most Zia birds are painted a rust color.  Long-stem plants sprout up between the birds.  The lower body polychrome designs are yellow leaves outlined in black.  Each pair of leaves supports three black triangles.  Additional pairs of yellow leaves without black outlining are pendant from the stepped designs.

The jar is a most attractive turn of the century jar executed during a period when individual artists began to experiment freely with new designs.  Many jars of this period were divergent from the traditional, well-copied Trios Polychrome-influenced designs.  It was a refreshing period for Zia pottery and for the potters to express their individuality.

Condition:  It appears that there has been extensive rim restoration with over-paint.  A section or two on the lower body also seems to have been restored to some extent. Nevertheless, it is a beautiful four-color jar and is priced in relation to the restoration.

Provenance:  from the collection of a family from New York who displayed it in their Santa Fe residence.

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