Award-Winning Blackware Jar with Carved Designs [SOLD]

This carved blackware jar was created by Linda Tafoya-Sanchez of Santa Clara Pueblo. It was made in 2023 and entered into competition at the 101st annual Santa Fe Indian Market. It received a First-Place award and Best of Division award. Both award ribbons are included with the jar.

The Indian Market award ribbons refer to the piece as a "Double Shoulder Water Jar." With this vessel, Tafoya-Sanchez offers a modern version of the ancestral vessel form that was produced frequently by Santa Clara potters of the past. The shoulders here are subtle in shape, but they're highlighted by the addition of horizontal bands of micaceous clay.

The micaceous clay panels around the mid-body of the jar feature designs in each panel—a corn plant, butterfly, face with a tableta, rain clouds and rain, infinity symbol, bear paw, floral element, and lightning. Each element is featured in a polished surface floating on a micaceous background.

The rim is polished black in a wavy form. Below the rim is a micaceous band on which are incised lines in various shapes and positions.

The bottom of the jar is signed Linda Tafoya Sanchez, Santa Clara Pueblo.

Linda Tafoya-Sanchez (1962 - ) formerly signed her pottery Linda Tafoya Oyenque, now she signs as Linda Tafoya-Sanchez. Same person, same beautiful pottery. She is a daughter of Lee and Betty Tafoya and granddaughter of Margaret Tafoya. She credits her aunt Mary Esther Archuleta for training her to be a potter. Sara Fina Tafoya seems to have set the standard for members of her family and their output of black pottery. All the family members produce magnificent pottery. She has received many awards at Santa Fe Indian Market and the Heard Museum Guild Indian Fair & Market.

Condition: this Award-Winning Blackware Jar with Carved Designs is in original condition

Provenance: this Award-Winning Blackware Jar with Carved Designs is from the artist

References:

- Fourteen Families in Pueblo Pottery by Rick Dillingham

- Pueblo Indian Pottery:750 Artist Biographies, Gregory Schaaf

TAGS: Santa Clara Pueblo, Lee and Betty Tafoya, Margaret Tafoya, Contemporary Southwest Indian Pottery