Polished Black Seed Jar by Tina Garcia

This polished black pottery jar was made by Tina Garcia, a potter with roots at both Santa Clara and San Juan Pueblos.  It is an extraordinarily well-crafted vessel with an excellent shape and appropriately without adornment. The shape of the vessel is to be appreciated alone.

The vessel is quietly expressive.  It recalls the shape of a Hopi seed jar, but stretched a bit vertically, and augmented with a short neck.  The jar's most appealing trait is its highly burnished tone.  With its finish and bright, glassy surface, the jar's rich black truly shines. This is a fine contemporary pot that will likely appeal to a wide variety of collectors.

The bottom of the jar is signed Tina Garcia, SC.

Tina Garcia (1957 - 2005) was the granddaughter of Severa Tafoya. Her mother was from Santa Clara Pueblo and her father from Ohkay Owingeh (formerly San Juan Pueblo). She learned pottery making from her grandmother and her aunt, Angela Baca.  She was producing blackware herself by the time she was eleven. When she decided to become a career potter, she spent time in museums studying the art form. After spending time with the collections at the School of American Research in Santa Fe, she came to the decision to only create pieces that reflected the classic Tewa shapes and forms. She made pots that honored the traditional forms with a beautifully polished modern finish. The only decoration she used was the traditional Santa Clara bear paw, and she did so infrequently.

Condition: very good condition

Provenance: this Polished Black Seed Jar by Tina Garcia is from the estate of a Santa Fe resident

Recommended Reading: Santa Clara Pottery Today by Betty LeFree

TAGS: Santa Clara Pueblo, Ohkay Owingeh Pueblo, Severa Tafoya, Southwest Indian Pottery, Tina Garcia