Zia Pueblo Pottery Tile with Floral Design [SOLD]

This floral design Zia Pueblo pottery tile has a paper label attached to the back that has the name Benina Medina written on it, presumably the name of the potter.  According to her granddaughter, Reyes Madalena, Benina Medina was born at Zia Pueblo in 1873. She married Ramon Madalena from Jemez Pueblo in the late 1890s.  She was an accomplished potter having won prizes at Santa Fe’s Indian Market in the 1920’s. After moving to her husband’s pueblo, she was instrumental in reintroducing a pottery making tradition to Jemez Pueblo.

Condition: very good condition

Recommended Reading: Hopi & Pueblo Tiles: An Illustrated History by Kim and Pat Messier

Provenance: from a private collection