Stella Shutiva (1939-1997), Acoma Potter

Stella Shutiva (1939-1997), Acoma Potter, Re-creator of a Prehistoric Style (with a sense of humor!) Pigs and Owls!

Stella Shutiva was from the Acoma Pueblo which is West of Albuquerque off of I-40 near Grants, New Mexico. Potters from prehistoric sites in the southwest created pottery that had a corrugated look and feel. The outside of the pot is textured in rows where the coils circle the pot. Stella's mother, Jessie Garcia, is credited with being the first person to recreate this unique style.

We have a collection of five pots by Stella, given to us by a couple who is experiencing some health issues and they have asked us to reduce the prices to sell these pieces. The pots were purchased directly from the potter in the 1970’s. Stella had reached a level of fame at that time and had even been asked to demonstrate her work at the Smithsonian institute in 1973.

What Stella did that I think is so cool is to use an ancient technique along with contemporary designs to create something that is uniquely hers.

In this collection two of the pots are made in the traditional modern Pueblo style and three are in the style of the early Pueblo people.

Fun stuff first! I always eat dessert first when possible! We have two owls, both in the corrugated style. I guess you could say that the indentations in the clay look like feathers!

Then the two pigs, one black on black and one polychrome, are made in the smooth pottery style usually found at Acoma. I’m guessing that Stella didn’t think the feathers would look good on the pigs! These are happy pigs with smiles and eyelashes! They are approximately 4“ in diameter.

The two owls were price at $600.00 and $630.00 but are being reduced to $375.00 each. The small one is 5” tall and the larger one is almost 6” tall.

The wedding vase is really terrific. It has a large body with a thin and graceful handle and a turtle on each side. I love the shape of this piece of pottery. It is priced at $2700.00 and is worth every penny of that.

Stella Shutiva was only 58 years old when she died, but she left a legacy of quality work. And, looking at these pigs, she must have had a terrific sense of humor! Any collection of Pueblo pottery should have an example of her work.  This is a great opportunity!

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