Seferina Ortiz was the matriarch of a family of renowned potters, including Virgil Ortiz, Janice Ortiz, and Lisa Holt. This is one of her most famous style of storytellers, which is the bear.  It is a bear holding three cubs.  There is also a classic Cochiti bowl into which one of the small bears is looking.  The bowl has very traditional cloud designs on the inside.  It is a charming piece and painted with the white Cochiti clay and then painted with wild spinach (black) and red clay slip and fired.  The piece is signed on the bottom, “Seferina Ortiz”.  It was traditionally fired and in excellent condition with no chips, cracks, restoration or repair.  Definitely an exceptional piece by this historically important potter!