Southwestern Cuenca Tile Featuring Kokopelli Imagery Appraisal

Southwestern Cuenca Tile featuring Kokopelli Imagery

This item is a square ceramic art tile, approximately 4 to 6 inches in size, executed in the cuenca or 'tubeline' technique where raised lines of clay separate colored glazes. The central motif depicts two mirrored Kokopelli figures—the humpbacked flute player and fertility deity associated with many Native American cultures in the Southwestern United States. The figures are rendered in black with geometric patterns on their torsos and are shown playing flutes over a central olla (pottery jar) and a stylized sunset or sunburst symbol. The background features a vibrant turquoise cracked-ice or crystalline glaze with deep teal inclusions, creating a textured aquatic or mineral-like aesthetic. The color palette includes earthy browns, whites, blues, and ochre. There is a visible artist signature or studio mark in the lower-left corner of the design, appearing as 'T-S-O' or similar characters. The tile is displayed on a contemporary red wooden or plastic easel. It appears to be in excellent contemporary condition with no visible chips, cracks, or surface crazing beyond the intentional glaze effects. The craftsmanship indicates a commercial art pottery or regional artisan studio product, likely dating from the late 20th century to the present day.