Sofia Medina was known for the traditional style of Zia pottery.  Each piece was coil built, painted with native clays and native fired.  This jar has a high shoulder and a slight neck. There are four birds on the jar, two polished red and two black.  Separating them are cloud and rain designs. The jar is very tightly painted. Did you know that Zia potters use basalt as their temper for the clay, which gives these pieces their stability but also weight?  The jar is in very good condition with no chips, cracks, restoration, or repair.  It is signed on the side, “Sofia Medina”.