Marie Z. Chino

Marie Chino was one of the “Four Matriarchs” of Acoma pueblo who revived the ancient style of Acoma black-on-white pottery. The inspiration for many of the “Four Matriarchs” designs were those that the women saw on ancient potsherds gathered to use for temper. Together, they revived designs and forms belonging to the Mimbres, Tularosa, and Anasazi cultures. Many of Chino's descendants are now important potters. She began making pottery as early as the 1920s and became renowned for the uniformity of her pots and her ability to blend form and design.