Laguna Pueblo Pottery Bowl by Gladys Paquin

This Laguna Pueblo polychrome bowl, crafted by Gladys Paquin in 1988, features a painted rim accented with a single framing line. Its most distinctive element is a series of graceful arcs, which, upon closer inspection, emerge from alternating rain cloud motifs at the center of the design. These banded arcs form a rhythmic, lyrical pattern that flows seamlessly around the entire piece, embodying the fluid and balanced style characteristic of traditional Laguna pottery. The piece is signed and dated '88 on the bottom.

Gladys Paquin (1936-2020), also known as Sratyu'we, was a celebrated potter with a rich heritage rooted in both the Zuni and Laguna tribes. Raised in Santa Ana Pueblo, she was deeply influenced by her stepmother, a skilled potter whose teachings shaped Gladys' artistic path. Though her pottery reflected traditional Santa Ana forms, her designs were distinct and showcased her personal creativity, blending tradition with innovation.

After relocating to her mother's Laguna Pueblo, Gladys developed her unique style, becoming a respected figure in Pueblo pottery. Beyond her own artistry, she was a dedicated mentor, passing on her craft to her sons, Danny and Andrew Padilla, as well as to Max Early and Myron Sarracino, ensuring that her legacy and the Pueblo pottery tradition would endure.

Condition: excellent condition

Provenance: this Laguna Pueblo Pottery Bowl by Gladys Paquin is from a collector in Salt Lake City, UT

Recommended Reading: Fourteen Families in Pueblo Pottery by Rick Dillingham

TAGS:  Zuni Pueblo, Santa Ana Pueblo, Laguna Pueblo, Max Early, Southwest Indian Pottery