Laguna Pueblo Bird By Michael Kanteena; Anasazi Revival

Late 20th/Early 21st Century
Size 2.75" H x 3.375" L x 2" W
White Slate Like Clay with Hand Painted Black Geometric Designs
From a Private Colorado Collection
Excellent Condition

Michael Kanteena is a renowned Native American potter from Laguna Pueblo, New Mexico, born on September 1, 1959. He specializes in hand-coiled, traditional polychrome pottery inspired by ancient Ancestral Puebloan styles, such as those from Chaco Canyon, Mesa Verde, Mimbres, Anasazi, and Hohokam cultures. Kanteena earned a Bachelor of Arts in Fine Arts from Eastern New Mexico University in 1981 and has since focused on recreating historic pottery forms using natural pigments and yucca brushes, often firing pieces twice to achieve an authentic, weathered appearance. His work frequently incorporates symbolic motifs like rain, lightning, clouds, feathers, geometric patterns, and animal figures, including birds, which hold cultural significance in Pueblo traditions representing elements like weather, fertility, and spirituality.
Laguna Pueblo, located in west-central New Mexico near Albuquerque, is a federally recognized tribe with a rich history dating back centuries, known for its pottery traditions tied to the Keresan people. The pueblo's landscape, along the Rio San José, has long influenced local artists like Kanteena, who draws inspiration from archaeological shards found there.
Kanteena's bird effigies and jars are among his most celebrated pieces, often depicting stylized birds (sometimes owls, parrots, or generic Pueblo bird forms) in effigy or decorative styles. These pieces blend functionality with artistry, evoking ancient rituals.