Jar

Artist Elizabeth Toya Medina born 1956 Jemez Pueblo, New Mexico; lives Zia Pueblo, New Mexico

Artist Marcellus Medina born 1954 Zia Pueblo, New Mexico; lives Zia Pueblo, New Mexico

Dateca. 1990

Mediumoxidation fired clay with pigments

Dimensions15 × 18 in. (38.1 × 45.7 cm)

ClassificationsCeramic

Credit LineAlbuquerque Museum, gift of the estate of Ruth and Sidney Schultz

Object numberPC2022.44.42

DescriptionA large polychrome jar with wide shoulder and slightly narrower mouth. Images of dancers, birds, flowers, and geometric designs adorn the cream-colored ground.

On View

Not on view

Text Entries

Label Text

Indigenous Art, Culture, and Community: Works from the Ruth and Sydney Schultz Collection

on view 02/04/2023 - 07/23/2023

The dancing figures on this pot are examples of innovation within the Zia Pueblo pottery tradition. The sun symbols are traditional Zia designs that were appropriated for use on the New Mexico flag. The birds and flowers are common elements of Zia pottery that began appearing in the early 19th century. Though Elizabeth is originally from Jemez Pueblo, she learned Zia pottery techniques from her mother-in-law, Sofia Medina. Marcellus and Elizabeth work collaboratively on their pottery; Elizabeth builds the pots by hand and Marcellus adds the dancing figures which are not typical in Zia Pueblo pottery.