Small Laguna Style Pot by Gladys Pacquin
This small pueblo style olla was made by master southwestern potter Gladys “Stratyu’we” Pacquin (1936- 2020) who was instrumental in reviving Laguna pottery in the late 20th century. She artistically synthesized several New Mexican pueblo styles into her work, mirroring influences from her Laguna & Zuni parents as well as a Santa Ana stepmother. This special little pot was handcrafted of local grey Laguna clay that was smoothed & coated with polished white slip on the exterior. She applied red mineral paint to the interior of the vessel as well as the base. The generous design frieze covers a wide swathe of the surface & features repeating handpainted designs in red & dark brown paints derived from locally sourced plants & minerals. This was pit fired outside using fuel gathered from the land. It is signed G. Pacquin, Laguna, on the base. The pot measures just outside the miniature range at 3.25" H x 3.25" W x 3.25" D. This has had cosmetic restoration to the painted surface but remained physically sound. She was known for her larger vessels so this is a lovely rare example of her smaller works. This traditional piece by award winning artist Gladys Pacquin would grace & expand any collection!
Excellent condition! This has had cosmetic restoration to the painted surfaces.
PP
Note: Gladys Pacquin has won many awards including the prestigious Best in Division & Best of Traditional Pottery at the Santa Fe Indian Market in 1986 followed by a First Place ribbon & the "Indian Art Fund Award for Best of Traditional Crafts" at the Santa Fe Indian Market in 1993. She earned additional accolades at the Okmulgee Indian Market (OK), Twin Cities Indian Market (MN), Heard Museum Guild Indian Market (AZ) & the Eiteljorg Museum Indian Market (IN). Born of a Laguna mother & Zuni father, this heritage was blended with a dash of Santa Ana Pueblo by association, as she spent her formative years & beyond at Santa Ana with her father & stepmother from age 10 to 43. These influences are seen in her designs. She returned to her matriarchal home of Laguna Pueblo around 1980 but looked to her step mother, who lived at Santa Ana Pueblo, to begin learning how to create pueblo pottery under her tutelage. She ultimately credits the Christian Lord for assisting her in her work. Her legacy as a Laguna Pueblo pottery Revivalist is agumented by the sharing of her knowledge with others including: her son Andrew Padilla, Jr.; Max Early; & Myron Sarracino. Her work is in the permanent collection of the Smithsonian Museum of the Americna Indian.