Mela Youngblood Black Melon Jar with 22 Polished Ribs

This black pottery melon jar was made by Santa Clara Pueblo potter Mela Youngblood. It's a wonderful piece of blackware featuring a classic Santa Clara Pueblo design motif. There are 22 individual vertical ribs. Both the ribs and depressions were highly polished. The jar's bottom is signed Mela Youngblood, Santa Clara Pue and dated 4/77. This is an impressive piece of pottery from an artist whose influence—both individually and within the context of her talented family-could not be overstated. Mela Youngblood (1931-1990) was a daughter of Margaret Tafoya.

Condition: excellent

Provenance: this Mela Youngblood Black Melon Jar with 22 Polished Ribs is from a Santa Fe estate

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

TAGS: Santa Clara Pueblo, Margaret Tafoya, Sara Fina Tafoya, Nancy Youngblood, Nathan Youngblood, Mela Youngblood