Untitled
Date Unknown

Earthenware
2.5 x 2.75 x 2.625 in.
Gift of Richard W. Gold from the Arthur J. Williams Collection
2024.12.54

Corn Moquino often decorates his works with animals and other natural elements, using sgraffito carving techniques. This small black-ware bowl depicts Avanyu, the water guardian serpent, along with a feather motif. Moquino typically crafted black and red earthenware vessels, and his work is deeply rooted in the tradition of Santa Clara Pueblo pottery.

Born in 1929, Moquino had to leave his pueblo to attend a boarding school for Native American children. He dropped out of school at the age of 12 and began working and traveling until he settled in Santa Clara Pueblo with his wife. There, in the 1960s, he taught himself pottery and eventually became an accomplished potter, earning widespread recognition. He passed away in 2016.

Sara Eco Conti

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This object has the following keywords:

• Native American
• Serpents
• sgraffito - The decorative technique of scratching through one surface layer, such as on a wall, slip on a pot, or the surface of glass, so as to reveal a layer beneath. For non-decorative, casual, or defacing marks on walls or other surfaces ancient or modern, use "graffiti."
• vessels - Containers designed to serve as receptacles for a liquid or other substance, usually those of circular section and made of some durable material; especially containers of this nature in domestic use, employed in connection with the preparation or serving of food or drink, and usually of a size suitable for carrying by hand.