Cochiti Pueblo Highly Decorated Stew Bowl [R]

In 1979, The Albuquerque Museum opened an exhibit entitled One Space/Three Visions which was an exhibit of the three cultures of New Mexico—Native American, Hispanic, and European American.  Selected were 286 artists in all mediums—textiles, pottery, jewelry, furniture, wood carvings, and tinwork.  Of these, 193 were Native American artists with 361 items in the exhibit.  Cochiti Pueblo was represented by several potters—Helen Cordero,  Aurelia Suina, Ada Suina, Teresita Romero, Seferina Ortiz, Stephanita Herrera, Juanita Arquero and Laurencita Herrera.  It was recognition of their talent to have been selected.

Laurencita Herrera at the time was in her 60s and well established as a potter of note.  She made storyteller figurines and vessels and was considered an artist whose works were to be collected.

This bowl is a traditional Cochiti stew bowl but was most likely made for sale, not for use at the pueblo.  It is beautifully decorated on the interior and exterior.  The interior design features a Maltese cross style element that most likely represents rain and clouds with crops, maybe corn, at the base.  The exterior design repeats the cloud and rain theme.  The darker grey coloration is from traditional outdoor firing.

Condition:  original condition

Provenance: from a collection in Albuquerque

Recommended Reading: One Space/Three Visions, The Albuquerque Museum, August 5 - November 4, 1979. Exhibit Catalog