Zia Pueblo Pottery By Maxine Madina

Late 20th Century

5" H x 6.625" D

Hand Coiled from Local Clay with Painted Bird and Geometric Designs

From a Private Colorado Collection

In Very Good Condition

Maxine Medina is a recognized Native American artist from the Zia Pueblo known for her traditional polychrome pottery featuring distinct designs like the roadrunner, rainbows, and geometric motifs. Her work is valued by collectors and can be found in museum collections and galleries. Maxine Medina is part of a noted family of Zia potters, which includes Trinidad Medina, her teacher and grandmother-in-law, and her mother-in-law Sofia Medina. Like other Zia artists, Maxine uses traditional methods, gathering clay from pueblo grounds, hand-coiling and shaping vessels, and firing them outdoors. Her pottery often features traditional Zia designs such as a four-panel roadrunner, rainbow, and cloud formations. The roadrunner is a prominent symbol in Zia pottery, which also became the official New Mexico state bird. Maxine Medina won numerous prizes at the Santa Fe Indian Market, and her work is held in institutions like the School of American Research collection. Most of her works are unsigned; the signature is often found in the mid-section of the lower polished red body when present.