Ortiz, Seferina – Effigy Canteen with Raised Lizards (1980s)

Seferina Ortiz is the matriarch of a family of renowned potters, including Virgil Ortiz, Janice Ortiz, and Lisa Holt. This is a charming effigy canteen. It is coil-built and painted with a white clay slip and wild spinach for the black.  The canteen is from the 1980’s.  The design has two lizards in relief on the top of the canteen. The handles are flowers.  The neck is in the shape of an animal and there are rain clouds painted near the base. This style of design is reminiscent of the work of her mother, Laurencita Herrara.  The canteen is signed on the bottom “S, Ortiz”.  It was traditionally fired and in excellent condition with no chips, cracks, restoration or repair. 

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Ortiz, Seferina (1931-2007)

Seferina Ortiz is certainly one of the great matriarchs of Cochiti Pueblo. She learned to make pottery from her mother, Laurencita Herrera. She is also the matriarch of a family of innovative potters including Virgil Ortiz, Janice Ortiz, and Lisa Holt. Seferina created traditional style Cochiti pottery figures and vessels. Seferina won numerous awards for her pottery at events such as Santa Fe Indian Market.