Jar

Datec. 1885-1964

DimensionsOverall: 8 × 10 3/4 in. (20.3 × 27.3 cm)

Object numberT0118

Credit LineGift of Eugene V. and Clare E. Thaw

Photograph by John Bigelow Taylor, NYC

Label TextFigures of deer, birds and plants have been painted on Zia pots for many years. While the deer figures painted during the 19th century were simple and blocky, they became progressively more naturalistic, culminating in acrylic paintings done by young male artists in the mid-20th century. (c.f. Batkin 1987, p.126; Frank and Harlow 1974, pl.XVI) Trinidad Medina is the most acclaimed Zia potter from the 20th century dur to her meticulous handling of forming shapes. As a result of her pottery-making demonstrations at various expositions such as the Century of Progress in 1933 at Chicago and the Golden Gate International Exposition of 1939 she saw many new things and expanded the range of Zia traditions. Medina continued to make fine thin pottery with black basaltic lava temper in the usual forms with polished red underbodies and black rims until her death. Members of the Medina family continue to be among the foremost potters in the village. Red designs are usually painted and stone polished at Zia before being outlined with black. (From the Catalog of the Thaw Collection of American Indian Art, 2nd ed.)
ProvenanceLarry Frank, Arroyo Hondo, New Mexico
BibliographyVincent, Gilbert et al. Art of the North American Indians: The Thaw Collection. Cooperstown, New York: Fenimore Art Museum, 2000, p.209.

Fognell, Eva and Alexander Brier Marr, eds. Art of the North American Indians: The Thaw Collection at the Fenimore Art Museum, 2nd ed. Cooperstown, New York: Fenimore Art Museum, 2016, p. 230.

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