Zia Pueblo Set of Four Pottery Buttons with Bird Motif [SOLD]

By the beginning of the twentieth 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 tourists to carry home.  There were the usual table items—cups, saucers, candle holders, salt and pepper dispensers and related items. But the Zia potters were very creative and developed the idea of making buttons. There is some thought that this idea developed because there was a metal shortage due to World War II and Zia potters used this as an opportunity to make ceramic buttons. These buttons were made of traditional Zia clay and decorated with Zia designs.

After the influenza epidemic that swept the area in the early twentieth century, there were less than 200 people living at Zia Pueblo. Since the late 1800s, Zia women had been exchanging pottery with the nearby traders for food and other goods or money.  This ability of Zia women to make fine pots for trade made it possible for the pueblo to survive the hard times.

We are fortunate to feature a collection of four of these buttons. 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. Each is decorated with a single Zia bird in red outlined in black.

Condition: the Zia Pueblo Set of Four Pottery Buttons with Bird Motif is in excellent condition.

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

Provenance:  from a private collection

Relative Links: Southwest Indian Pottery, Zia Pueblo, Historic Pottery