Gachupin, Helen – Four Color with Deer & Birds (1960s)

This is a detailed jar by Helen Gachupin.  She was a daughter of Andrea Toribio Gachupin. She never married so she had no children to carry on her pottery-making tradition. She was known for her traditional pottery and use of traditional designs.  This is one of her most famous designs with the painted deer. There are deer on each side, each under a red polished rainbow.  Under the rainbow are rain designs.  Separating the deer are large birds with tan polished areas. Zia pottery from this time period was made from clay that used basalt for the temper, giving them great structure and endurance.  The base of the jar is indented and that is where it is signed, “Helen Gachupin”.   It is in very good condition with no chips, cracks, restoration, or repair.  Definitely a classic in clay!

Brand

Gachupin, Helen (1931-1999)

Helen Gachupin was a daughter of Andrea Toribio Gachupin and a granddaughter of Rosalie Medina Toribio.  Her sister was Gloria Gachupin Chinana. She never married so she had no children to carry on her pottery-making tradition. She was known for her traditional pottery and the use of traditional designs. While never prolific her work can be found in museums such as Peabody Museum at Harvard University in Boston, the Maxwell Museum in Albuquerque, the Museum of Indian Arts & Culture in Santa Fe, and the Heard Museum in Phoenix.