Paquin, Gladys – Four Color Water Jar with Butterflies and Rainbows (1994)

Gladys Paquin was one of the great revivalist potters of Laguna Pueblo.  Each piece was coil built, painted with bee-weed (black) and native clay slips and traditionally fired.  This jar is a classic olla shape with a high shoulder and short neck.  The jar has a double rainbow encirlcing the piece.  Above the rainbow are seed designs and below are plants.  Along the shoulder of the jar are butterflies.  It is painted with red and orange clay slips along with black on a white background. It is a complex and fully designed jar.  The contrasting colorations across the surface create a striking complexity for this piece.  The jar is signed on the bottom, “Gladys Sratyu’we Paquin”.  It is in excellent condition with no chips, cracks, restoration or repair.

Brand

Paquin, Gladys Sratyu’we (1936-2020)

Gladys Paquin was born in Laguna to Dwight (Zuni) and Adelene (Lagnua) Paquin.  She was the mother of Mary Lent and Andrew Padilla, a potter. She only began making pottery in 1980 and was among the revivalists of the art form. She used all-natural materials for slips and is one of the few potters to continue traditionally firing her pottery. She won numerous awards for her work at Santa Fe Indian Market, Gallup Ceremonials, and other events. She signed her pottery, "Gladys Sratyu'we Paquin, Laguna."