I have been unable to find any published information on Rufina Trujillo. In a personal conversation with Mary Trujillo of Cochiti Pueblo on 20 April 2010, I learned that she was originally from Acoma Pueblo and married a Cochiti Pueblo man and moved to Cochiti. She passed away about 3 years ago from complications of asthma. Mary said she does not think she made much pottery in her time at Cochiti.

This small bowl, made from all natural materials from the Cochiti Pueblo reservation, is traditional Cochiti in all aspects. The cloud and rain design painted on one side of the jar was beautifully executed. The lizard in bas relief on the opposite side was sculpted in fine detail.

The small bowl is an older piece but in original perfect condition. It is signed on underside Rufina Trujillo Cochiti Pueblo.

Recommended Reading: A River Apart: The Pottery of Cochiti & Santo Domingo Pueblos (click here to view details of book) by Valerie Verzuh, et al. (Available from Adobe Gallery)