Cochiti Pueblo 8-piece Nacimiento by Josephine Arquero [R]

Josephine is the daughter of Damacia Cordero and was taught the art of pottery figurine construction by her mother. Josephine’s figurines do not resemble those of her mother’s, but have a character of their own. She is now 80 years of age and is still making pottery.

Josephine was not included in the Northland Publishing book Nacimientos that was published in 1979, so it is assumed that she was not making nativity sets at that time. We did have a set of hers in our 1980 Christmas Nacimientos exhibit, so she was making them by that time.

In this set, Mary, Joseph and the Angel are looking upward to Heaven as if offering thanks. The cow has the most amazing comical look. The set is charming. Josephine has a wonderful sense of humor and it displays in her work. She signed each piece, and the set is in original excellent condition.

Provenance: Exhibited at the NACIMIENTOS 
November 23, 2007 until January 6, 2008 presented at adobe gallery Santa fe.