Pair of Black Figural Candlesticks with Twisted Stems [SOLD]

Legoria Tafoya, Pablita Velarde, and Jane Baca were sisters.  Legoria was the oldest and Pablita the youngest.  Legoria devoted her career to making traditional black pottery in the Santa Clara Pueblo style, and so did her sister Jane Baca.  Pablita Velarde (Golden Dawn) is the one who chose to be an easel painter.  All three sisters were exhibited at Enchanted Mesa Gallery in Albuquerque, owned by Fred and Margarete Chase.

"Legoria was one of the first Santa Clara artists to have a brochure with her personal biographical statement.  The document states in part: 'Along with many other children of the Rio Grande Pueblos, Legoria attended St. Catherine's Indian School at Santa Fe...Married quite young to Pasqual Tafoya, Legoria was soon very busy with a family of her own.  Marriage, children, and the resultant responsibilities prompted Legoria to become interested in making pottery to sell to supplement the family income.’

“In 1930 Legoria learned the art of pottery making from her grandmother...Legoria's first work consisted mostly of clever, small animal figurines, which she molded with her fingers.  Lions, bears, birds and turtles are design forms which are much in evidence in Tewa mythology.  These little fetish-like ceramics proved to be extremely popular, and Legoria sold many of them to the tourists who came to the Pueblo...Legoria decided to exhibit her work.  At her first exhibit in 1940 she won a blue ribbon for a plain polished bowl.  This was at the Indian Market at Santa Fe...Legoria has received many awards for pottery making...'" (Schaaf 2000).

Each of this pair of black candlesticks starts with a triangular pedestal from which the stem twists upward to the top.  A handle in the shape of a dog or similar animal protrudes on one side.  The candlestick pair is probably a late creation by Legoria as they are spectacularly constructed and burnished with a beautiful black finish from firing.  They are not the work of a beginner but reflect the hands of an experienced potter.

Condition: very good condition

Provenance: from the collection of a Santa Fe family

Reference: Schaaf, Gregory. Pueblo Indian Pottery 750 Artist Biographies, 2000