Margaret Tafoya Red Polished Bear Paw Jar

This jar by legendary Santa Clara Pueblo potter Margaret Tafoya is completed in a style that has become one of her most iconic. It's a tall, double-shouldered jar with four bear paw impressions spaced out evenly around its tall neck. The bear paw symbolizes strength, good health and, of course, water. Bears are believed to always know how to find water; the placement of bear paws on these jars graces them with that same ability. Pieces like this one were never used as actual water jars, but were still decorated with the same symbology. Santa Clara Pueblo potters of today-many of whom are Tafoya's descendants-continue using the symbol on their works. Tafoya's bear paw jars are classic and beautiful.

This jar was completed in 1974 and entered in the Eight Northern Indian Arts & Crafts Fair where it was awarded First Prize. The blue ribbon is available with the jar.

Recommended Reading: Born of Fire: The Pottery of Margaret Tafoya by Charles S. King

Reference of Tafoya Family tree and biographical information: Family Tree 1, page 137 of Pueblo Indian Pottery: 750 Artist Biographies by Gregory Schaaf.

TAGS: Santa Clara Pueblo, Southwest Indian Pottery, Sara Fina Gutierrez Tafoya, Virginia Ebelacker, Mela Youngblood, Toni Roller, LuAnn Tafoya, Margaret Tafoya