Marlene Tenorio-Vallo 'Kokopelli the Flute Player' Santa Ana Pueblo Pottery Jar 

Signed pottery jar by Marlene Tenorio-Vallo of Santa Ana Pueblo, New Mexico, titled “Kokopelli the Flute Player.” Hand-coiled and etched with exceptional precision, this piece showcases the artist’s signature sgraffito technique featuring the traditional Kokopelli motif—the humpbacked flute player—surrounded by birds, flowers, and geometric patterns. Accents of turquoise and ochre enliven the black and natural clay surface, creating striking contrast and rhythm throughout the design.

Tenorio-Vallo, active since the late 1980s, is celebrated for adapting Acoma-inspired etching methods within Santa Ana Pueblo traditions. Her works often explore cycles of life and music, expressed through symmetrical patterning and storytelling imagery. Comparable examples of this motif have appeared in auctions by Bradford’s and LiveAuctioneers, and at galleries such as PuebloDirect and Cameron Trading Post. A fine example of contemporary Pueblo craftsmanship.

Dimensions:
Height: 5 inches
Diameter: 6 ½ inches
(Please note: Campbell’s soup can shown for scale.)

Condition:
Good condition overall. Felt stickers affixed to the bottom. No chips, cracks, or damage observed.

Signature:
Signed on underside: “Kokopelli The ‘Flute’ Player – M. Tenorio, Santa Ana, N.M.”

Provenance / Artist Background:
Marlene Tenorio-Vallo (b. 1963, Santa Ana Pueblo) began working in pottery in the late 1980s, learning from her husband, Nathaniel Vallo. Her works are exhibited and sold through Native art galleries and auction houses across the Southwest. Known for her refined etching, balanced symmetry, and recurring Kokopelli imagery, her pottery bridges traditional Pueblo symbolism with modern artistic precision.