Acoma Pueblo Pottery Baby Owl Figurine by Marie Z. Chino [SOLD]

This whimsical owl pottery figurine was made by renowned Acoma Pueblo matriarch Marie Z. Chino. The artist fashioned a wide-eyed bird standing up with carefully painted feathers and wings.  Marie Z. Chino (1907-1982) is considered to be one of Acoma Pueblo’s most accomplished potters. Her work is recognized and included in museums and collections world wide. In addition to creating prize-winning pottery for more than 50 years, Marie taught her children the art.  Her daughters Carrie Chino Charlie, Rose Chino Garcia and Grace Chino all went on to be accomplished potters. 

Acoma Pueblo is one of the oldest continuously inhabited villages in North America. The pottery-making tradition there dates back close to 2,000 years. Acoma potters commonly use shards of old pottery that have been crushed up as temper in their pots. So it is interesting to speculate that this little owl could have the remains of pots hundreds of years old within its little body. With intriguing wide eyes and carefully executed beak and wings, this little owl is a wonderful example of the creative talent of Marie Z. Chino.  The owl is signed on the bottom with the artist’s name and Acoma, NM. 

Condition: original condition

Provenance: this Acoma Pueblo Pottery Baby Owl Figurine by Marie Z. Chino is from the collection of a client from Illinois

Recommended Reading: 

- Fourteen Families in Pueblo Pottery by Rick Dillingham (1952-1994)

- Acoma & Laguna Pottery by Rick Dillingham

Relative Links: Acoma Pueblo, pottery making, Carrie Chino Charlie, Rose Chino Garcia, Grace Chino, Marie Z. Chino