Seferina Ortiz was the matriarch of a family of renowned potters, including Virgil Ortiz, Janice Ortiz, and Lisa Holt. This is one of her classic owl clay figures.  The owl is constructed like a vessel and fully painted.  Her mother, Laurencita Herrera also made owls.  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, “S. 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!