Rita Banada Lewis of Cochiti Pueblo was married to Ivan Lewis, a son of Lucy Lewis. Rita began making pottery in 1959 and was taught by her mother.  This nativity or “naciamento” set was made by Rita and Ivan in the 1980s.  There are seven pieces, including Mary, Joseph, Baby Jesus, two angels, and two cows.  Each piece was made with native clay and white Cochiti clay slip, painted with bee-weed (black), red clay slip, and traditionally fired.  Each piece is very detailed in the painted designs.  Note the complexity on the back of each figure, the shawls, and the belts!  Each of the figures is wonderfully painted.    All the pieces are in excellent condition with no chips, cracks, restoration, or repair.  The cows and baby Jesus are signed, “Ivan Lewis”.  The two angels are signed, “Rita Lewis”.  The figures of Mary and Joseph are signed, “Rita and Ivan”.

Each is signed on the bottom, “Rita Lewis”