Historic Zia Pueblo Small Four-color Polychrome Pottery Jar [SOLD]

This rather primitive small Zia Pueblo jar is charming in its own way. The historic pottery vessel wall is a little bumpy, meaning that it has not been sanded smooth as have later jars. The cream Zia Pueblo liquid clay slip covering the jar has a yellowish tinge in color perhaps as a result of the potter mixing something with the clay she planned to use for the slip.

The Zia birds are charming and somewhat innocent in execution which makes them even more likable. The birds have exquisite head feathers as crowns. The plants sport orange flowers and deep red flowers, contributing to the four-color designation on this historic pottery jar.

There are double framing lines below the design panel, a wide deep red band below the framing lines, a polished concave underbody, single framing line just below the rim, a black rim and a wide red band on the interior rim. All framing lines feature ceremonial line breaks. The jar appears to date to the early 20th century.

Condition:  this Historic Zia Pueblo Small Four-color Polychrome Pottery Jar is in very good condition

Provenance: from the collection of a California resident

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

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