Polychrome Seated Male Holding Pottery Vessel by Pablita Velarde [SOLD]

It is not known just when Pablita made pottery figurines or how many she made or how long she worked with clay. It is speculated that she may have done so at the urging of one of her sisters, Jane Baca or Legoria Velarde. It is most likely that she tried her hand at pottery around the 1960s or later.

It is documented that she painted pottery pieces that she did not construct, that she made ceramic tiles, that she made cloth dolls and tourist items such as small drums, and, of course, that she made her own paints for the earth paintings she produced and for which she is famous. She was a very talented and very versatile artisan.

This figurine of a seated male holding a pottery vessel is quite similar to a Tesuque Rain God figurine, and is perhaps Pablita’s inspiration to fashion one. It is fashioned from clay and painted with commercial paints. Pablita signed her full name on the side of the left leg.

The right arm has been broken off and glued back on; otherwise the piece is in excellent condition. We did not receive the piece in time to have the arm professionally repaired, but we will do so after the exhibit ends.