Santa Clara Polished Red Carved Bowl [R]

Starting sometime in the early 1950s, Margaret Tafoya made smaller bowls, jars, candlesticks and canteens for sale to tourists visiting the pueblo as well as to take to *Royal Gorge for the summer. She and her family spent their summers—from Memorial Day to Labor Day—at the Royal Gorge near Canon City, Colorado, selling pottery and entertaining the tourists with dances and permitting them to photograph the family members. She had made enough pottery before going to Royal Gorge to take with her to sell. She did not make pottery on site.

It was during the 1950s that pueblo pottery underwent a revival in interest by collectors and tourists. Following the lean years of World War II, both from a buyer's standpoint and that of the seller, as well, the 1950s saw a renaissance. Americans had sacrificed during the war, skimping and saving for the war effort and now gasoline and tires were again available and travel was possible. The Southwest was once again of interest and New Mexico saw a tremendous influx of tourists willing and anxious to purchase souvenirs to take back home. Fortunately for the pueblo potters, there was great interest in their pottery.

This small red carved bowl from Santa Clara Pueblo is typical of many that found their way out of the Southwest and into collections from coast to coast. It is a marvelous piece and is beautifully designed with a stylized Avanyu. This bowl is probably not from the early period of the 1950s but more likely from the 1980s, as the burnishing is excellent and in above average condition. 

Condition:  original excellent condition               

Provenance: from a family in New Mexico

Recommended Reading:  Born of Fire: The Pottery of Margaret Tafoya [SOLD] by Charles King

*The Royal Gorge (also Grand Canyon of the Arkansas) is a canyon on the Arkansas River near Cañon City, Colorado. With a width of 50 feet (15 m) at its base and a few hundred feet at its top, and a depth of 1,250 feet (380 m) in places, the 10-mile-long canyon is a narrow, steep gorge through the granite of Fremont Peak. It is one of the deepest canyons in Colorado. Wikipedia