About the Object

This three-color Zia polychrome olla features white slip with black and red painted decoration. Sweeping across the surface of this Zia water jar is a large double rainbow band that includes of pattern of connected black rectangles, similar to pathway symbols found on Acoma Pueblo pottery. Black filled triangles, scallops, and leaf motifs cover much of the surface. The center design of this jar is the red intersecting stick motif that may possibly be the Diné (Navajo) wind symbol or a general Southwestern Native American motif that has been utilized throughout various tribes in the region.

Additional Information

The Diné wind symbol, sometimes referred to as a “whirling log” symbol, is a sacred motif that has been present on Navajo blankets and Native American silver jewelry (especially Diné-made jewelry) for over a century.