Historic Bird Effigy Figurine [R]

Pottery effigy figurines were made in the southwest by the major prehistoric cultures—the Hohokam, the Mogollon and the Anasazi, all of which were puebloan predecessors. These figurines were in the form of themselves, their gods, and the animals around them. This procedure continued into today’s pueblo culture.

For reasons we may never understand, Cochiti Pueblo has made the most sizeable, various, and continuous production of figurines. Other pueblos have made effigy figurines, but not of the quantity or frequency of Cochiti.

This bird effigy figurine from Tesuque Pueblo is one of the rare pieces from there. Figurines are not in abundance from Tesuque. It is hollow inside and fashioned in the shape of a bird. It is eyeless, but has a beak and ears. Small wings and short legs protrude from the body.

The back of the bird is elaborately decorated. The main decoration is a black painted bird that predominates the back of the figurine. Zigzag lines, plant-like elements and dots proliferate.

A small clump of clay is loose on the inside. This produces a rattle effect—deliberate or accidentally. Perhaps the potter meant for it to be a rattle. The figurine dates to the late 1800s and it is in excellent condition.