First posted by C. Dean Wilson 2014

Puname Polychrome was defined by Mera (1939). This type is assigned to pottery exhibiting characteristic of forms produced in the Puname district or Zia area in the Middle Rio Grande at about A.D. 1700. Historic matte painted polychrome produced in the Puname or Zia province are characterized by deep-red paste clays, basalt temper, and white slips. Vassel forms include jars and bowls that are decorated on both surfaces. The jars exhibit a distinct uncut with bulge during the lower or mid body that flares inward to the rim and narrows toward the base (Frank and Harlow 1990)..

Designs are executed in paneled bands or in all-over patterns on the upper part of the vessel (Harlow 2003; Harlow and Lammon 2003). Decorated areas on the upper body are divided in relatively equal panels that are sometimes separated by double vertical lines. Bands are usually framed by one or two thin decorated lines. Red matte-painted arcs on the mid-body bulge are a diagnostic feature. Other design elements include keys, circular arcs, triangles, step triangle, diamonds and recurrent feather symbols. The feather symbols are distinct and easily recognized often representing split feathers. Rims are slipped red, and the red often extends into the interior vessel wall. A simpler band consisting of repeated circular arcs may parallel the main band. A band of red slip separates the white slip upper portion of the vessel from the undecorated base.

References:
Frank, Larry and Francis H. Harlow
1990 Historic Pottery of the Pueblo Indians 1600-1880. Schiffer Publishing, Ltd., West Chester.

Harlow, Francis H.
1973 Matte Paint Pottery of the Tewa, Keres, and Zuni Pueblos. Museum of New Mexico, Santa Fe.

Harlow, Francis H. and Dwight P. Lammon
2003 The Pottery of Zia Pueblo. School of American Research Press, Santa Fe.

Mera, H. P.
1939 Style Trends of Pueblo Pottery in the Rio Grande and Little Colorado Cultural Areas from the Sixteenth to the Nineteenth Century. Laboratory of Anthropology Memoris 3, Museum of New Mexico, Santa Fe.

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Puname Polychrome jar sherds

Puname Polychrome bowl sherd

Puname Polychrome jar sherd

Puname Polychrome bowl sherds

Puname Polychrome bowl sherd

Puname Polychrome

Puname Polychrome jar

Puname Polychrome jar

Puname Polychrome jar

Puname Polychrome jar

Puname Polychrome jar

Puname Polychrome jar

Puname Polychrome jar