Sofia Medina was known for her traditional style of Zia pottery.  Each piece was coil built, painted with native clays and native fired.  This is jar is striking in design and a very classic Zia shape with the high shoulder and slight neck.  The jar has a rainbow design which is polished and below it on each side is a Zia bird. The birds are polished.  Under the rainbow are cloud and plant designs.  It is a complex pattern of design.  On the sides separating the two birds there is a very intricate butterfly pattern made up of rain and cloud motifs.  It is unusual to see their work with such complicated patterns!  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”.