| DESCRIPTION: A large, hand coiled Zia Pueblo Olla by noted Zia potter, Elizabeth Medina. This well formed pot has high shoulders tapering to a narrow foot, and is painted in four traditional Zia colors with natural sienna, burnt sienna and black designs on a white ground. The design is divided into four quadrants, two with lively, hopping roadrunners under rainbow arcs (a signature Zia design), and two with capped feather designs appearing as orange steps outlined in black with semi-circular black caps. Arguably the best Zia potter today, this pot demonstrates Elizabeth's clean lines, solid colors, traditional designs and excellent olla form - every quality desired in purchasing a great pot. Dating from the last quarter of the 20th C. and in very good condition with no chips; a few scattered "pock" marks on painted surface. Signed on the bottom, "Elizabeth Medina Zia." DIMENSIONS: 11" high (28 cm) x 11.5" diameter (29.2 cm). Weight is 8 lbs.
ARTIST PROFILE: Elizabeth Toya Medina was born at Jemez Pueblo and was a potter there until she married Marcellius Medina of Zia Pueblo in 1978, of the well known Medina family of potters. Her new mother-in-law, Sofia Medina, is credited with teaching her the traditional processes of making Zia pottery. Elizabeth has consistently won awards since the early 80's at the Santa Fe Indian Market, Eight Northern Pueblos Arts & Crafts Show, the New Mexico State Fair, and the Colorado Indian Market at Denver. Her work is represented in many of the Southwest's premier galleries and featured in many publications including Berger & Schiffer's "Pueblo & Navajo Contemporary Pottery", Rick Dillingham's "Fourteen Families in Pueblo Pottery", Hayes & Blom's "Southwestern Pottery: Anasazi to Zuni", and Peaster's "Pueblo Pottery Families" to name a few sources. According to Gregory Schaaf's Southern Pueblo Pottery Artist Biographies, "Elizabeth is respected for her ability to create pottery ollas with the most beautiful and graceful of forms. Her sense of balance and esthetics give her pots a special feeling of harmony....... (her) work is recognized as being among the best in contemporary pueblo pottery."
Stock #W-PT5 |
