Lyle Tayson: Zia Pottery Making

Artist: Lyle Tayson
1924 -
Nationality: American
Artwork Year: 1977
Image Size: 13 by 17 inches
Overall Size: 18 by 22 inches
Medium: Water Color on Cold Press Illustration Board

The Zia Pueblo stands on a bluff above the Jemez River, approximately thirty miles north of Albuquerque. Virtually free of European influence, or that of the curio market, Zia pottery continues today in a tradition at least six centuries old. Each pot from this historic pueblo contains black basaltic lava, a feature which distinguishes Zia pottery from all others. Typical of Zia pottery, is the display of feathers on a pot whose maximum diameter is placed quite high above the base. Other pottery includes the ancient sun symbol of the Zia Pueblo, which lives on today as well in the New Mexico state flag. Symbolizing the Zia's sacred number four, the emblem recalls the significance of the four seasons of the year, the four cardinal directions, the four periods of the day and the four periods of life. The emblem further symbolizes the Zia beliefs that everything in life is bound together in a circle of life and love, without beginning, without end. The Zia Pueblo is composed entirely of one-story buildings, not all of which are attached to one another. Many other pueblos were built as natural fortresses, with smooth, windowless walls on the ground level. The ceilings of lower rooms served as floors and porches for the "apartments" built above. Access was by ladder to the roof, then inhabitants descended through a hole into the rooms below. In times of trouble, the ladders were pulled up after all the defenders were safe inside.

This artwork was originally published on the Fleetwood® First Day Cover for the U.S. 13¢ Zia Pueblo Pottery Making stamp issued April 12, 1977.

Artwork Copyright © 1977 Unicover Corporation. All Rights Reserved under United States and international copyright laws. You may not reproduce, distribute, transmit, or otherwise exploit the Artwork in any way. Images of the Artwork may be watermarked and/or digitally watermarked. Any sale of the physical original does not include or convey the Copyright or any right comprised in the copyright.

Our Stock Number (SKU): Sold

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