The effigy parrots by Autumn Borts-Medlock have certainly become a signature piece of her pottery.  The parrots are coil-built and then carved and stone polished.  This is a larger clay parrot that is fully carved!  The parrot is polished tan (the natural color of the clay), along with polished and matte green clay slipped areas.  There are additional accents in white and red clay.  Areas on the wings and head are stippled into the clay to give the piece texture and the appearance of feathers!  There is an inset piece of turquoise on the back of the parrot’s head, as well as the front.  It is an exceptional amount of work in the various levels of carving combined with polished and stippled surfaces. This parrot also has a polished tan beak.  The tan is highly polished and the background is slipped with mica to contrast the polished surfaces.  It is very complex in imagery.  The piece is signed on the bottom in the clay, “Autumn Borts-Medlock, 2024”.

So, why so many parrots on Pueblo and Hopi pottery?   In the pre-contact era, there was a small parrot that was indigenous to the southwest area.  As well, parrot feathers were traded with Central American tribes and were highly valued. Today there are Parrot Clans at Hopi and parrot feathers are used throughout the Pueblo world in various ceremonies and dances.  So, it is not unexpected to see parrots featured on pottery from the various pueblos and Hopi.  They are certainly part of the cultural and historic background of these amazing potters!