Brown, Mabel

Mabel C. (Watchinpino) Brown (1915-2004) was an Acoma Pueblo potter who specialized in making whimsical figures. She was particularly well known for her cow’s head pitchers: the milk or cream poured through the cow’s mouth. She began making pottery in the 1950s, during the Route 66 tourist market phase. She settled into her niche quickly and it helped support her and her family for most of her life.

Mabel was the wife of Joseph Brown, a son of potter Mary (Concho) Brown (b. ca. 1881) and John Brown. Mabel’s mother was Cecilia (Sarracino) Watchinpino, her sister was Juana Chavez (who also made cow’s head pitchers).