Maria Laweka was a daughter of Damacia Cordero and sister to Martha Arquero and Josephine Arquero.  She began making pottery in the 1960s and was known for her figurative pottery. This is one of her traditional clay figures.  It is a porcupine with the dots representing where the quills would be.  It is made with traditional Cochiti white clay and painted with wild spinach (black), and traditionally fired.  It is a charming piece!   It is signed on the bottom, “Maria Laweka”.  It is in excellent condition with no chips, cracks, restoration, or repair.  Definitely an exceptional piece by this historically important potter!