Hopi Pueblo Turtle Pottery By L. Shula

ca. 1980

1.375" H x 4" L x 3"W

Hand Crafted from Local Clay of a Turtle with Painted Black Geometric Shell and End of Tail with Facial and Toe Details from Walpi

From a Private Colorado Collection

In Very Good Condition

Lorraine Shula (also signed as L. Shula), a Hopi potter from Walpi (First Mesa), Arizona (c. 1930–2001), Eagle Clan, created traditional Hopi pottery, including turtle effigies or figurines. She was active primarily in the 1960s–1970s (with some work into later decades), producing items like ladles, wall sconces, miniature animals, prayer bowls, and kachina tiles. Her turtle pottery is a ceramic effigy/figurine form, typical of Hopi animal effigies that often serve decorative, ceremonial, or small functional roles (e.g., trinket or prayer items).