Pottery making in Laguna Pueblo had almost died in the mid-twentieth century when Gladys Pacquin began making pots in 1980. Her work brings a fresh, new look to the historic forms and images of her pueblo as she decorates the traditional shaped ollas, bowls and canteens with combinations of original designs inspired by her life. These incorporate Laguna Pueblo motifs with Zuni, the home of her mother. This blending has led to a unique style. Each piece is made entirely from natural materials by hand using traditional methods of clay construction-coil method, decoration -painted using vegetal and mineral pigments and open air firing using cow chips and cedar wood in an outdoor kiln.

Pottery making in Laguna Pueblo had almost died in the mid-twentieth century when Gladys Pacquin began making pots in 1980. Her work brings a fresh, new look to the historic forms and images of her pueblo as she decorates the traditional shaped ollas, bowls and canteens with combinations of original designs inspired by her life. These incorporate Laguna Pueblo motifs with Zuni, the home of her mother. This blending has led to a unique style. Each piece is made entirely from natural materials by hand using traditional methods of clay construction-coil method, decoration -painted using vegetal and mineral pigments and open air firing using cow chips and cedar wood in an outdoor kiln.

Rectangular flat tile, decorated with white slip. Design of double isoceles triangle in brown slip flanked by black C-shaped elements on either side. Black border and frame. Made with a mold. CONDITION: Crack which has been mended in center of tile.

This is a round bowl with a creme colored background. The design on the exterior is three sets of zig zag lines in black. The interior has an orange colored, oval bodied antelope with two black legs and a black head. A long spear runs through the hindquarters of the antelope. The antelope faces the opposite end from a black, crouching hunter figure, holding a bow and arrow.

This is a cream colored bowl with stepped rim outlined in two black lines. Exterior design is black avanu with a heart line that curls around the shoulder and one black horned toad inset within each exterior step. Interior of each step has inset a dragonfly and two tadpoles. Interior has a very worn, red horned-toad. Paint is flaked and abraded especially on interior. Condition: There is some black discoloration from firing, and a large crack in one stepped projection which was repaired.

Rectangular flat tile, decorated with white slip. Design of three large brown feathers on top half and dragonfly symbol on bottom half. Black border. Made in a mold. CONDITION: Dark areas on right side due to oxidation. White paint applied on left side of tile and on tips of the feathers. Holes in top and bottom center.

Rectangular flat tile, decorated with white slip. A semi-circular element containing linear and globular details on each half of the tile, forming a circle. A pointed arching element on each side with two parallel lines at each end. Decorations in colors of black, ochre, dark brown and light brown. Black border. Made in a mold. CONDITION: Holes at top and bottom center.

Rectangular flat tile, with white slip. Two half-circles with decorations and central decorative elements of a teardrop and triangular shape. Brown slip for decorative elements. Black border. Made in a mold. CONDITION: Broken and repaired at upper left corner. Holes at top and bottom center.

Rectangular flat tile, with white slip. Design of three feather-like images within two triangular striped elements. Scalloped design at top and bottom borders. Made in a mold. CONDITION: Holes at top and bottom center.

This is alLarge, full round body storage jar with shallow shoulder, short neck and wide mouth. Base is concave. Design is polychrome red and black on white. The body design has all-over pattern of alternating circles with tapered triangular points. The base and inside the neck are black. Some crackling of surface paint. Large crack along 2/3 of side from the rim. 1/2" chip and abrasion of design on outer rim.