About the Object

This three-color Zia or Santa Ana polychrome storage jar features white slip with black and red painted decoration. The surface decoration of this sizeable storage jar is impressively distinct as much of the white slip is undecorated and the presented motifs are uncommon. The center designs include pentagonal and semicircle designs that are lined with bold red bands similar to rainbow bands. Inside the pentagon are two small triangles, one with rain lines (hachure) and the other is a downward filled triangle. It is possible that the semicircle is a double rainbow band. On the sides of the center design are stacked, capped feathers and on the rim are black scallops.

Additional Information

The Pueblo of Zia, or Tsi-ya, is an Indigenous nation located in north-central New Mexico. The Pueblo community carry on their living culture through the continuation of their traditions, artistic expressions, agriculture, and livestock raising.