Williams Gallery West - Native American Folk Art - Cochiti Ceramic Bear by Martha Arquero

Folk Art - North America - Southwest Pottery, Ceramics, Textiles
Martha Arquero Cochiti Pueblo Ceramic Bear signed M. Arquero circa 2005 SOLD Dimensions: approx 8" long x 5" high x 4" wide
Black bear with white muzzle, open mouth and playful expression. Hand built. Charming! Piece is signed on bottom of left front paw. Excellent Condition. No chips or cracks. Martha Arquero was born in 1944, and has been active as a potter since the late 1960s. Her mother and teacher was Damacia Cordero. Martha is know for her mermaid and frog figures, as well as other animals including bears and elephants.
Cochiti Pueblo is located in north-central New Mexico. Cochiti crafts include pottery, drums, basketry, and jewelry. Cochiti style is typically recognized by isolated black designs separated by large areas of white slip. Early Cochiti designs included birds, animals, and abstract symbols representing rain, clouds, and lightning.
Cochiti potters have been producing animal figurines since the 1900s, and are particularly known for their owls. Cochiti potters are also known for storyteller figurines, originally created by Helen Cordero. These are painted with traditional paints of black and red on cream and consist of a mother surrounded by children.
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